Depending on location, most of us reside behind at least one utility meter. Such meters measure resources flowing into our households: water, natural gas, and electricity. And although we benefit from the resources, these meters exist not so much for us as for the utility. We don’t own and can’t modify these devices, typically mounted outside our homes. As a result, we likely consider these utility meters as providing us little more value than mere power supply. But times are changing!
Technology Changes for Utility Meters
Unsurprisingly, technology is altering today’s landscape for utility meters. Nowhere is this more apparent than for electricity. Decades ago, utilities exchanged mechanical meters (and their legions of human “readers”) for units sending one-way radio signals readable from a truck. These "AMR" meters provided clear labor savings to utilities. Now, we see more than 79 million new, two-way meters (known as "AMI" meters) installed across the US. These “smart” meters allow utilities to diagnose problems and make changes to service remotely. Without even rolling a truck. They also permit utilities to modify charges based upon time-of-use or other tariff plans. Click here for a more detailed description of AMR vs. AMI meters.
Who Benefits from Utility Meters?
So far, utilities arguably have benefited most from legacy meters and smart meters. Still, requesting hourly data may boost consumer knowledge around energy use. However, the 24- to 72-hour delay in delivery limits the use of this data as a tool for decreasing energy costs.
How YOU Can Benefit!
Emporia Energy believes that all consumers should have access to their data. Further, they should see this data in real time,whether or not they have smart meters. And that with this data, they should benefit from significant savings. These savings may occur through conservation, efficiency, tariff selection, and other methods. Regardless, in this spirit of data transparency, Emporia designed the Emporia Vue. Thanks to hardware flexibility, the Vue anticipates operating in both smart-meter and legacy settings. All in the name of helping consumers save money, conserve energy, and reduce carbon.
Three Easy Steps
In three easy steps, consumers can gain control of their energy monitoring:
- Download Emporia's app
- Purchase and install the Emporia Vue
- Follow Emporia's recommendations for saving money and pollution
Prepare for the Energy Transition in Three Easy Steps!
We at Emporia seek to partner with consumers during this latest US energy transition. The goal is better to measure and manage energy use. Along the way, we also pledge to provide insight and savings. We are a young company, eager to share what we have developed so far! We are further motivated to receive feedback on what we have already built.
Here’s How to Manage What You Measure
Step 1: Try Emporia's Software
Download Emporia's app on either the App Store or Google Play. Any user can sample a demo version of this app and provide feedback. But the app becomes so much more powerful when installed with Vue hardware! So be sure to complete the second step below, either before or after downloading the Emporia app.
Step 2: Purchase Emporia Vue Hardware
Installed behind your home's main breaker box, the Vue works in any market. Though homeowners can often complete this installation in 15-20 minutes, Emporia nonetheless recommends hiring a qualified electrician. However, as a reward for installation, the Vue provides highly granular data and the ability to monitor individual circuits.
Click here to choose your Vue!
Step 3: Reap the Rewards of Success
Simply put, Emporia seeks to put consumers in control of their energy data. By viewing this data in real time, consumers can expect to save between 3% and 13% through awareness and simple conservation. However, Emporia has established the bold goal of saving consumers up to 50% on energy spending over time. Consumers will achieve this level of savings through a combination of app-recommended strategies that will compound over time. Better yet, these opportunities for savings will only increase as utilities proceed further into the renewable-energy transition.
Think about it:
- Extra money in your pocket -- month after month
- No more nagging concerns about wasting money and energy
- Comfort in knowing that your benefits also help the planet
Emporia sees this confluence of interests as the ultimate win-win -- and hopes you will as well. Please join us!
