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.