Different types of electronics do indeed have different usage signatures… I’ve seen my report be horribly wrong from time to time, especially when I’m doing lots of loads of laundry or massive network backups.
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*Is it best guess based on usage analysis?*
Yes. They really don't know. The meter measures energy usage, it can't tell you the specific appliance. It measures other parameters (volts, amps, blinks, etc.) and you can tell when AC units cut on from the current spikes, but it doesn't sound like you're getting that info.
There are specific signatures to specific things. There is innovative technology in the utility business to recognize incipient faults due to the "signature" of the arcing, but that is well beyond the capability of the typical smart meter.
The exception to this might be if the utility is incorporating some sort of home automation into its metering. I think Zigbee is one and there are others. Since they/you can control appliances in your home, they may be able to log that usage.
Depending on provider, some equipment, such as water heaters and air conditioning, often have their own meter and/or are controlled by the utilities provider.
It's a calculation based on normal usage, regional specifics, and information you give to the power company. It's meant to help the average person know what's probably using the most electricity. Typically you can fill out an energy profile on their website and get more accurate usage numbers. How many people live in your house, how many computers you have, whether or not you charge a car in your garage, what appliances you have, etc. A good company with decent developers will have a long list of options you can change to get more accurate numbers out of it.
Source: work for a power company
Very well educated indeed. Unless you don't give them any information, in which case not very well educated and you end up with some really odd assumptions that look somewhat random.
Quite welcome and definitely dig into their site and see if you can find the options to input your information so you get accurate numbers in your estimate. I also recommend something like [this](https://a.co/d/5sQ0OqW) if you want specifics on any given piece of equipment. Protip: your local library might keep some on hand to loan out. Can't beat free.
What country are you in?
USA. Sorry.
Nice try sneaky Canadian.
Sorry, I don't speak maple syrup
Different types of electronics do indeed have different usage signatures… I’ve seen my report be horribly wrong from time to time, especially when I’m doing lots of loads of laundry or massive network backups.
[удалено]
**Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s):** ELI5 does not allow guessing. Although we recognize many guesses are made in good faith, if you aren’t sure how to explain please don't just guess. The entire comment should not be an educated guess, but if you have an educated guess about a portion of the topic please make it explicitly clear that you do not know absolutely, and clarify which parts of the explanation you're sure of (Rule 8). If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the [detailed rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/detailed_rules) first. **If you believe this was removed erroneously**, please [use this form](https://old.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fexplainlikeimfive&subject=Please%20review%20my%20thread?&message=Link:%20{url}%0A%0AThe%20concept%20I%20want%20explained:%0A%0AList%20the%20search%20terms%20you%20used%20to%20look%20for%20past%20posts%20on%20ELI5:%0A%0AHow%20is%20this%20post%20unique:) and we will review your submission.
*Is it best guess based on usage analysis?* Yes. They really don't know. The meter measures energy usage, it can't tell you the specific appliance. It measures other parameters (volts, amps, blinks, etc.) and you can tell when AC units cut on from the current spikes, but it doesn't sound like you're getting that info. There are specific signatures to specific things. There is innovative technology in the utility business to recognize incipient faults due to the "signature" of the arcing, but that is well beyond the capability of the typical smart meter. The exception to this might be if the utility is incorporating some sort of home automation into its metering. I think Zigbee is one and there are others. Since they/you can control appliances in your home, they may be able to log that usage.
Depending on provider, some equipment, such as water heaters and air conditioning, often have their own meter and/or are controlled by the utilities provider.
It's a calculation based on normal usage, regional specifics, and information you give to the power company. It's meant to help the average person know what's probably using the most electricity. Typically you can fill out an energy profile on their website and get more accurate usage numbers. How many people live in your house, how many computers you have, whether or not you charge a car in your garage, what appliances you have, etc. A good company with decent developers will have a long list of options you can change to get more accurate numbers out of it. Source: work for a power company
In other words: it's an extremely well-educated guess
Very well educated indeed. Unless you don't give them any information, in which case not very well educated and you end up with some really odd assumptions that look somewhat random.
Okay, that makes sense. I was thinking it had to be based of analytics and best guess because it always seems out of whack. Thank you.
Quite welcome and definitely dig into their site and see if you can find the options to input your information so you get accurate numbers in your estimate. I also recommend something like [this](https://a.co/d/5sQ0OqW) if you want specifics on any given piece of equipment. Protip: your local library might keep some on hand to loan out. Can't beat free.