Client in Bakersfield had PG&E replace mechanical meters with AMI units. New meters started recording reactive power demand charges that never appeared before. Old Westinghouse mechanical meters couldn't measure vars. $8,400 in new monthly charges.
Member Community
Enter your email to read this discussion
You're reading the AAUBA Member Forum — where Certified Utility Bill Auditors share case studies, tariff strategies, and industry insights.
Free to read. Enter your email to continue.
No spam. We'll send you one welcome email about CUBA certification. Unsubscribe any time.
PG&E smart meters reading reactive power wrong
That's not an error, that's a feature! Smart meters can measure reactive power where mechanical meters couldn't. Check the tariff - PG&E probably always had var charges but couldn't bill them with old meters.
Same thing happened with Xcel Energy in South Dakota. Client thought it was an error but Schedule A-57 had reactive power charges the whole time. Old meters just couldn't read them.
This is why I always review tariff schedules during meter upgrades. Utilities often have charges they can't collect until they get smart meters installed. Power factor correction equipment might be worth installing.