BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Several Belmont County residents, especially those in St. Clairsville, have posted their complaints about increased electric rates from American Electric Power (AEP).
Residents are asking whether the use of Smart Meters by AEP is behind the soaring electric rates.
River News Network contacted AEP Ohio to find out.
They stated that the use of Smart Meters does not increase rates, but higher usage during winter and summer months can. They say the Smart Meters actually improve billing accuracy.
A person’s bill might increase for a few reasons, but the primary cause of bill increases is increased usage by an individual or a family. For example, we often see bills increase during winter and summer months, when people use their heating and air conditioning systems more. HVAC systems can be among the biggest energy users in a customer’s home—using them more requires more energy. A smart meter would not cause an individual’s bill to increase.
AEP Ohio media spokesperson
AEP Ohio also explained that Smart Meters are part of an electric system upgrade and eliminate the need for a meter reader to enter a customer’s property.
Smart meters are electric meters equipped with two-way communication technology. They allow virtual, secure meter readings and improve billing accuracy. They also eliminate the need for a meter reader to enter a customer’s property. Smart meters are part of ongoing electric grid updates that utilize new technologies to offer more benefits to our customers and we adopted them for that reason.
AEP Ohio media spokesperson
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