TEMPLE, Texas - After several weeks of mounting pressure from hundreds of consumers and the Public Utility Commission, Oncor unveiled its first side-by-side tests comparing its new digital smart meters with old analog meters to settle questions over whether the new ones overcharge customers.
Tuesday morning, Oncor said it would begin tests in north Oak Cliff for concerned customers in Dallas.
The PUC is preparing to launch its own independent test by an independent firm, but the idea for side-by-side tests belonged to 63-year-old Barry Holmes, a skeptical consumer.
"They came out with this thing of comparing meters and asked if I would go along with that," Holmes said. "I said, 'Yes, that would be a really good deal.' That's what I kind of suggested in the first place."
He complained to Oncor after his electric usage doubled in January. Both Holmes and Oncor confirm that was his highest bill since 2004, before he replaced windows, his HVAC unit and made his home more energy efficient.
Like many, Holmes suspected his new smart meter led to his high January bill.
"The reason we began talking to him is that he sent an angry note to us," said Chris Schein, an Oncor spokesman.
Monday afternoon, Oncor unveiled its first side-by-side test at Holmes house with light rain falling.
He is one of 24 upset customers in Temple and Killeen allowing Oncor to conduct tests at their homes over the next month.
"We chose people who weren't necessarily happy with us and didn't trust the data we were getting from the new meters, therefore our biggest skeptics then become our testers," Schein said.
Holmes said he has taken measurements over the last few days, and both the smart meter and the old meter are currently measuring the same.
Oncor said it would report its measurements weekly.
Hundreds have complained statewide about high bills in recent months, believing the smart meters are to blame since their habits have not.
But, Oncor insists its meters are working right. Instead, the utility blames the record cold winter.
E-mail: jwhitely@wfaa.com
