Atlas Twp.- Smart phones. Smart cars. Now smart meters.
Consumer Energy customers in the township will receive a new smart meter within the next six months as part of a statewide upgrade. According to Consumers Energy, 1.8 million electrical customers and 600,000 natural gas customers will be receiving new metering technology by 2019. Consumers is in the midst of a $750 million meter upgrade to a digital standard that is being used across the country.
So what’s new? Well, for starters, no more meter readers will be stopping by.
‘Right now there are more than 400,000 smart meters installed across the state,? said Kathryn Burkholder, spokesperson for Consumers Energy. ‘The new smart meters will end the need to be read (meters) physically’so no more estimated meter reads. At times during the last two harsh winters we had 40 percent of our customers in the state with estimated bills. The new system uses a web portal and a single text message sent via the Verizon Wireless network between midnight and 3 a.m. The information provides the energy consumption for the day for that home.?
Consumers is actively seeking to find positions within the company for those currently reading meters.
‘We are skill testing meter readers and many have moved to the gas division of the company,? she said. ‘Many have retired and others are in other jobs within the company.?
Other advantages are also realized by customers, added Burkholder.
‘That daily information sent, which will be for both gas and electric customers with Consumers will be available online. Customers can then track their daily use. For example, if there’s an old refrigerator running out in the garage’unplug it for a day, check your usage and realize the savings. The new meters will also notify crews faster when the power is out. Thus, allowing us to get power going again.?
Customers will receive a notification in the mail and the process will take about three to five minutes. The power to the home will be turned off during the installation of the Smart Meter.
State public utilities regulators, including the Michigan Public Service Commission, heard concerns of some electric customers and has established an ‘opt-out program? for those not wanting a smart meter installed at their home or small business for whatever reason. A one-time fee of $69.39 and a monthly cost of $9.72 for a meter-reader to stop by will be charged. Those wanting to opt out can contact the company at 888-862-2199 or through the smart energy website at www.consumersenergy.com/smartenergy.
‘There has been some concerns regarding the smart meters since we’ve began the process,? added Burkholder. ‘The Michigan Public Service Commission released information that the meters are absolutely safe. The biggest difference is they (Smart Meters) have a chip in them. The message sent to Consumers is encrypted’we cannot tell which appliance customers are using only total energy used.?
At 7 p.m., May 18, representatives from Consumers Energy will be at the Atlas Township Board of Trustees meeting to discuss the new smart meters.