Smart Meters
AMI Installation FAQs
Will I be charged for installation of a smart meter?
There is no charge for SELCO to change out your meter as part of our AMI smart metering deployment. However, if safety issues are identified by SELCO staff at the time of installation, you may be required to make repairs to your home electrical equipment before we can safely install the new meter.
How big are the new smart meters?
A smart meter fits into the existing size and shape of the meter base currently at your residence. The “smart” components are inside the meter.
Do I have to be home to have my meter replaced?
No. Since most electric meters are located outside of the home, you will not need to be home for the replacement work. However, if our technicians identify access issues, we may contact you to make special arrangements to schedule this work if needed.
How will I know if my meter has been changed?
The new AMI smart meters have a SELCO logo on the face of the meter. Our old AMR meters do not have our logo on them. You willl also recieve a notice on your door that your meter has been upgraded.
Will my electric service be interrupted during the meter change?
At most sites, a field metering technician will be at your property for 15 minutes or less. During this time, there will be a short interruption to the electric service as we switch your old electric meter for a new smart meter.
AMI Project FAQs
What is AMI or smart metering?
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is a meter-reading system that allows two-way communication between smart meters and electricity providers. Smart meters help provide better service – like power outage detection, faster problem resolution and remote meter readings. Smart meters will also be used in the future to help customers manage their energy use by providing daily energy information through a secure online account portal.
What do smart meters do?
For each account, smart meters record the kWh reading, the date and time of energy usage, and overall peak demand. They also record the date and time of light flickers, the length of power outages, and whether the meter has been rotated backwards or tampered with.
What is a smart grid?
The US Department of Energy states that a smart grid applies technologies, tools and techniques to increase knowledge capable of making the grid work more efficiently. A smarter, more efficient and reliable electric grid means better service for customers, benefits for the environment and lower costs in the long run. Learn more about the smart grid at www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/oeprod/DocumentsandMedia/DOE_SG_Book_Single_Pages%281%29.pdf
How do smart meters collect and transmit data?
Smart meters collect and store energy usage data. This data is sent to SELCO through a radio frequency (RF) network. Once the data has been securely transmitted and validated, it will be used for customer billing. This information will eventually be made available for customers to view their usage through a secure online account portal.
How do smart meters benefit customers?
Smart meters help provide better service – like power outage detection, faster problem resolution and remote meter readings. Smart meters will also be used in the future to help customers manage their energy use by providing daily energy information through a secure online account portal. This new technology is also leveraged to streamline the meter reading process for Shrewsbury’s Water Department.
Why is SELCO switching to smart meters?
Smart meters support SELCO’s goal of making the electric distribution system safer, more secure, and more reliable. With AMI, SELCO will be able to read meters remotely from the office. As a result, we will no longer have to send staff to each neighborhood to gather meter readings. This will result in cost savings and a lower carbon footprint. Smart meters also provide the framework for future implementation of Time of Use rates and deployment of a secure online customer portal, giving consumers the data they need to make intelligent energy use decisions. Other benefits include real-time readings, improved billing efficiency, data analytics for load balancing and engineering, and more.
How many meters will be changed and how long will this project take to complete?
SELCO will deploy more than 16,000 smart meters to Shrewsbury homes and businesses by the end of 2025.
Can SELCO customers choose not to receive a smart meter?
No. This is a system-wide upgrade, as well as an industry standard. All residential and commercial meters will be changed out.
When will I receive a smart meter?
We began installing meters in 2023 and expect the project to be complete in 2025. On the day of installation, the installer will notify you by knocking on the door prior to installation. If for some reason the installation was not completed, instructions will be left for you including who to contact for a follow up visit.
How many smart meters are there in the United States?
According to the US Energy Information Administration, there were 94.8 million advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) installations as of 2019. About 88% of all AMI meters were deployed to residential customers. Learn more at www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=108&t=3
AMI Operation FAQs
Is the data from my smart meter encrypted?
The manufacturer has incorporated advanced security features and encryption technology into the meter. While the meter display is visible so customers can check their consumption, the meters are sealed and the information and data stored within them can only be accessed with special software. Data transmitted from the meter through the system is encrypted through the entire process.
Our system is and will continue to be in compliance with standards on cybersecurity and privacy. Our systems also comply with federal and state regulations. Network devices and smart meters will remain in alignment with the established standards and will use internet protocol to drive strong cyber security. In the case of network devices, this refers to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards; and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards apply to meters.
Will my billing schedule change?
SELCO plans to maintain existing billing schedules at this time. However, it is possible that we may adjust our monthly billing and meter reading schedule in the future. Customers will be notified of any changes to our monthly billing schedule in advance.
How accurate are the new smart meters?
They are extremely accurate. Meters are subject to strict design standards when they are manufactured. Meters are tested by the manufacturer and those results are sent to us. We have a procedure to select and test meters on a random basis both before and after putting them into service to confirm they operate satisfactorily.
The standards for smart meters must meet requirements set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
How will I know that you have taken my reading and not someone else’s?
Each smart meter has a unique identification number, which is transmitted along with the meter reading. The unique number is tied to your account number in our system to ensure a match.
Do the new smart meters use more power than the existing meters?
Your energy use and charges are not affected by the type of meter you have.
Will I still need to contact SELCO if I have a power outage?
The smart meters will help SELCO identify and respond to outages more efficiently. However, it is still important for you to report your outage so that your information can be reported in our outage management system. By calling in, you can help us identify safety hazards such as downed wires or provide specific information that will help us restore power more efficiently.
Could the new meters impact my health?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) establishes requirements for acceptable RF exposure limits. Smart meters comply with and exceed these requirements, as well as global international requirements. Smart meters also present significantly lower RF exposure than many other products (including our current AMR meters) used daily by consumers without concern.
How do radio frequency concerns relate to smart meters?
Radio frequency levels for smart meters are set by the Federal Communications Commission and the meters used by SELCO comply with the FCC standards. Radio frequency levels measured from smart meters are well below the approved limits.
Will the meter signal interfere with other electronic equipment?
No. The radio transmission operates in compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations to avoid interference with other electronic devices.
