An electric meter or energy meter is a device that measures the amount of electrical energy supplied to or produced by a residence, business or machine. Electricity is a clean, convenient way to deliver energy. The electricity meter is how electricity providers measure billable services. The most common type of meter measures kilowatt hours. When used in electricity retailing, the utilities record the values measured by these meters to generate an invoice for the electricity. They may also record other variables including the time when the electricity was used. Since it is expensive to store large amounts of electricity, it must usually be generated as it is needed. More electricity requires more generators, and so providers want consumers to avoid causing peaks in consumption. Electricity meters have therefore been devised that encourage users to shift their consumption of power away from peak times, such as midafternoon, when many buildings turn on air-conditioning. For these applications, meters measure demand, the maximum use of power in some interval. In some areas, the meters charge more money at certain times of day, to reduce use.

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