Jed Rothwell wrote:
The cost of collecting data from the meters is only a small percent of total expenses because meter readers only come around two to four times a year, as Nagel noted. Your bill is based on your previous history consumption. I do not see why anyone objects to this.
I never objected to that -- I love the system! It saves me money!
If all kWh were the same price it would make no difference (nonzero discount rate aside). But they're not -- if you use more electricity in a particular month, you pay less per kWh, at least in New England. (Or anyway you used to -- haven't read the fine print on a bill in a few years.)
What that means is that a given amount of electricity, consumed at a constant rate, costs _more_ than the same total amount consumed in a "lumpy" fashion.
Well, guess what? If they don't read my meter for a few months, when they finally get around to it there's likely to be a substantial discrepancy -- a big "lump". Result: I get the benefit of a few kWh of cheaper electricity. :-)
Electric power consumption is usually quite predictable. The power company may overcharge you during some quarters, but it is bound to undercharge you in others. Occasionally after you have been overcharged you get a statement saying you own no money, but this seldom happens to me.
- Jed
