[Lobbyist]

I don’t have one. Can a utility company put one on without your knowledge? I’ve read that if you use too much energy they jack up your cost.

[Snoopers-868th]

What do these Smart Boxes look like?

[Star Traveler]

depends on where you’re at...

[HiTech RedNeck]

Warmer weather calling for more air conditioner operation?
Gas furnace with pilot light still going during air conditioner operation?

(Sorry if this is on your obvious list)

[Lx]

I had one I inherited from the previous owner of the house. The first hot day I bypassed it and that was that although I still got the minimal discount.

[Abby4116]

I am not really up on this technology, but from what I can figure, it measures usage and time of day. Is it possible that you are using the same amount of power per day, but the kwh's billed are multiplied by some factor for the time of day that they are being used?

[Natural Law]

I’ve had just the opposite. I suspect my old meter was not accurate.

[EBH]

The average cost of residential electricity was 11¢/kWh (DOE) in the U.S. in December 2008. The average household used 936 kWh/mo. in 2007 (DOE) and would pay about $100 for it based on the March 2009 average rate. DOE also has historical rates. http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/cost.html

936 eh. Well then that would be 31.2, close to your old meter rate. You said it went to 68. That is over a 100% increase in usage, even over the average household. That makes me think it is a problem with the meter and should be checked.

[smokingfrog]

The smart meter uses wireless technology to send usage and diagnostic information directly to PG&E.

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How are you estimating the increase in usage? Are you actually reading the meter every day? Sometimes the electric company will estimate your usage, rather than sent someone out to read the meter every month. Perhaps your meter had not been read for a while before they installed the new meter. They would take the reading off the old meter before replacing it, then charging you for any unpaid balance.

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New meters have a digital read-out instead of the dials.