Pacific Gas and Electric is going to have to replace 1,600 SmartMeter after they were found to be defective. The flawed units run faster than they should, causing energy bills of the affected consumers to incorrectly read high.

The flaw is triggered or accelerated when the meter operates in warm temperatures.

While the cumstomers who have been incorrectly billed will be offered refunds of about $40 on average, a supplemental payment of $25 for the inconvenience, and a free home energy audit. 

The affected units were all made by the Swiss manufacturer Landis+Gyr and are located throughout the state.

From the San Jose Mercury News:

Pacific Gas & Electric said Monday it will replace 1,600 SmartMeters due to a “rare defect” that causes the wireless meters to run fast and inflate customers’ energy bills.

The faulty meters, which are manufactured by the Swiss company Landis+Gyr, affect a mere fraction of PG&E customers.

“In a nutshell, Landis+Gyr sent us a small number of meters with a defect that causes them to run fast when they operate at high temperatures, and they may miscalculate energy bills,” said Greg Kiraly, PG&E’s Vice President for SmartMeter Operations.

Read the full article here.