Smart Meters for Your Home

Gather info on smart meters for your home, and decide if sending and receiving information about energy use is right for your home automation system.

energy_answers_solar_06-digital_meter_v

By: Sean McEvoy

If you're upgrading an existing home automation system or contemplating installing a new one, you may want to investigate smart meters for your home. Smart meter technology has been around for many years, and it allows power companies to send and receive information about a particular home, neighborhood or even an entire power grid's levels of energy use. In theory, this allows the energy supplier to more efficiently regulate its output of energy—and its consumers to monitor and better-control their own energy use. Smart meters can provide data on any systems within a home that use energy, including heating, lighting, air conditioning and appliances that use electricity, oil or gas.

Smart meter technology is viewed by proponents as a way to modernize the electrical grid system, thereby creating potential efficiencies and cost savings for both consumers and energy companies. At a basic level, smart meters allow consumers and energy companies to see how and when energy is used, by providing two-way communication with the power grid. This communication allows for analysis that can help manage energy output by power companies—and energy consumption by consumers—hopefully providing a cost savings for company and customer alike.

Smart meters most commonly collect electric and natural gas usage data from homes and businesses. To monitor the use of electricity, smart meters generally record electric usage hourly for homeowners and in more frequent increments for businesses. To monitor the use of natural gas, modules are attached to gas meters to record gas usage daily. The system periodically transmits the recorded data to the power company via a communications network that may be wireless, travel through the power lines or via radio communication. Power companies generally aggregate the information collected and then transmit it back to consumers and businesses, often with recommendations for cost and usage saving measures. For example, consumers or business owners can determine when their peak usage times are occurring and—especially if their home or business employs home automation—take steps to reduce wasteful energy consumption, potentially resulting in a cost savings.

Smart meters are not entirely without controversy. Because they transmit information in two directions—from the power company to the consumer and from the consumer to the power company—some view smart meters as an intrusion into individual privacy. Additionally, in some cases unregulated smart meter implementations have caused safety concerns. If you're contemplating a smart meter for your home, it's always a good idea to research how it will connect with your home's power grid, collect and transmit information to the power company and back to you, and assist you in creating a more efficient and economical energy use scheme.

More on Home Energy Monitoring and Management

Next Up

Choosing the Right Heating System: Heat Pump vs. Furnace?

Compare systems to understand the benefits for your home based on your geography and household needs. The right system will help improve your home's energy efficiency and reduce utility costs.

How Much Does Solar Power Cost?

If the sun shines brightly at your home, you could be making your own electricity instead of paying for it.

20 of Our Favorite Smart Home Products

Outfit your home with these energy-saving, time-saving and sanity-saving smart products.

Amp Up the Smart Tech in Your Home

Improve the functionality, safety and style of your home with these must-have smart devices.

4 Best Smart Plugs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Any home can be a smart home with these top-rated, editor-approved smart plugs and outlets.

Climate Control Systems: Comfortable and Convenient

Integrated climate-control technology is efficient and easy to install in your home.

4 Best Smart Thermostats of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Save time, energy and money in your home by upgrading to a smart thermostat you can control from anywhere.

Home Energy Monitoring and Management

Get all the info you'll need on home energy monitoring and management, so you can keep a close eye on your energy use and implement an automated management system.

Shop Our Favorite Tech From HGTV Smart Home 2023

Elevate your home with the tech that makes everyday life easier, safer and utterly functional.

Smart Appliances

Get all the info you'll need on smart appliances, and get ready to install efficient, economic appliances that can communicate with your home's automation system.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.