The Chicago Tribune reports that Commonwealth Edison in Chicago has confirmed that three of its newly installed Smart Meters have started fires in consumers' homes. Smart Meters are electricity meters that provide both ComEd and homeowners with wireless information on electric usage patterns and allow ComEd to save on "meter maids" who read electric meters.
Smart Meters also can interact with appliances, allow ComEd to force shutdown of appliances during peak consumption times, and carry a number of concerns ranging from privacy concerns to health concerns from the wireless signals they emit to communicate with ComEd and appliances within the consumer's home.
Smart Meters also can interact with appliances, allow ComEd to force shutdown of appliances during peak consumption times, and carry a number of concerns ranging from privacy concerns to health concerns from the wireless signals they emit to communicate with ComEd and appliances within the consumer's home.
The Tribune notes that "Peco Energy Co., a sister company of ComEd also owned by Exelon Corp., said this month that it suspended a smart-meter installation program after 15 of the 186,000 installed devices overheated, including one that set fire to a home in suburban Philadelphia, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer."
The issue, according to ComEd, is not with the Smart Meter device itself but rather the wiring of the device to older consumer homes. Regardless, the industry is concerned about the dangers stemming from overheating and fires.
ComEd, like other utilities, are responsible for the products that they use to deliver their services. While ComEd does not generate electricity, they are the distribution company for most of the consumers within the Chicagoland area.
The industry is determined to increase adoption of Smart Meters, both to even out electric consumption by shifting consumer habits (such as automatically starting appliances during the night to reduce peak load consumption or preventing air conditioning condensers from operating, but allowing fans to circulate air) and by saving overhead costs from terminating meter maid reader positions.
Their gains should not come at the expense of consumers who have rights and should contact an attorney who is knowledgeable in energy, environmental and personal injury law.
The issue, according to ComEd, is not with the Smart Meter device itself but rather the wiring of the device to older consumer homes. Regardless, the industry is concerned about the dangers stemming from overheating and fires.
ComEd, like other utilities, are responsible for the products that they use to deliver their services. While ComEd does not generate electricity, they are the distribution company for most of the consumers within the Chicagoland area.
The industry is determined to increase adoption of Smart Meters, both to even out electric consumption by shifting consumer habits (such as automatically starting appliances during the night to reduce peak load consumption or preventing air conditioning condensers from operating, but allowing fans to circulate air) and by saving overhead costs from terminating meter maid reader positions.
Their gains should not come at the expense of consumers who have rights and should contact an attorney who is knowledgeable in energy, environmental and personal injury law.
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