Power Factor for AC Pumps

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Baldy

in this example, you will be charged for 120w NOT 200w.

Unless your with bc hydro on a smart meter which can and do measure aparent power. A lot of people are pointing to this as the reason there power bill has increases after smart meter instalation. Other places who have smart meters in the us had the same problem.

Understand the reason the hydro companies want to be able to measure it, as they need larger capacity systems to compensate for aparent power. They may or may not be charging for it yet, i wont know till i see my next bill as mine was just installed.

Steve

[sphelps]

Smart meters can measure apparent power and therefore a power factor for the whole house. Pretty sure any more modern digital meter probably can as well, smart or not. But they don't charge residential for apparent power, plain and simple. The meters are more accurate and measure all the brief high start up power generated by larger appliances which previous analog meters couldn't measure. This is one reason you'll see an increase. Other increases will result from peek time billing if applicable. Power companies will sometimes even list your house PF and apparent power in kVA on your bill but they won't charge you for it.

I'm sure a few people already using smart meters in BC can confirm this for you.