FAQs
A smart meter is a digital meter with enhanced capabilities, part of OPPD’s “smart grid” system. It not only measures energy consumption but also captures additional information like voltage levels, current and more. A key feature of a smart meter is its two-way communication capability – it can automatically transmit consumption data to the utility company and receive commands back, thus eliminating the need for manual meter reading.
A non-communicating meter does not communicate with OPPD systems, which will require the opt-out fee, displays measurements on a digital screen. It still measures and records energy consumption but requires OPPD to dispatch personnel to collect the information.
The smart meter will provide near real-time data on energy usage to both the utility and the customer, which will be accessible through your customer account. This allows for more accurate billing and helps customers monitor and manage their energy consumption more effectively. It can also notify OPPD immediately of power outages, helping to speed up restoration efforts. The simple digital meter does not provide those benefits.
What are AMI or smart meters?
The new meters are the next generation of metering equipment and, like your current meter, connect your home to the OPPD electric system and tell us how much energy you use. As a customer, smart meters are going to improve your everyday energy experience. That means more control over your energy use with even better reliability. Some new tools included will be tracking your usage and efficiency, setting alerts and instant communication with us if service problems occur.
Why am I getting a smart meter?
We are replacing our current meters, which are reaching end-of-life.
What is the difference between a smart meter and a non-communicating meter?
While both smart meters and non-communicating meters are both advancements over traditional analog meters, they do have different capabilities that make them distinctly different.
Can I get an AMI meter but have the communications function turned off?
No, this is not an option available to customers.
Can business customers opt out?
No. It is not customary for utilities to provide opt-out options for business customers because of the complexity around commercial rates, meter access and meter purchasing for such large customers.
Why will I incur a monthly expense for the non-communicating meter if I choose to opt out of the AMI smart meter?
We will need to send employees to read the meter monthly and maintain separate administrative processes and billing.
Why does this require an upfront fee?
The one-time fee covers the meter cost and installation of a new digital meter that does not communicate with OPPD systems and the cost to prepare our systems to manage billing for two different types of meter.
How did OPPD determine the fee?
The charge reflects the changes to our customer billing system, installation of a new non-communicating meter, monthly reads and administrative costs required to support a second type of meter. To service both types of meters, OPPD will need to make customer billing system changes to ensure accurate and timely billing of opt out fees and associated manual processes. This is a standardized fee, based on feedback and input from other similarly sized utilities.
Are smart meters safe?
Yes. Several agencies, including Agencies including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Federal Communications Commission, have concluded that smart meters do not cause nor contribute to adverse health effects.
They use radio frequency technology to transmit information to OPPD about how much energy a home or business is using. The amount of radio frequency emitted is less than the amount emitted by a cellular phone.
What kind of information do they collect?
The meters collect the same information that our meters have always collected: your home’s electricity usage. This also includes the time the reading was taken and some service quality readings. We use it to calculate your monthly bill and also to ensure our system is serving you reliably. It’s not useful or valuable to anyone other than OPPD. We do not collect any personal or sensitive information. The meters do not have access to any billing, payment, or account information.
If I don't want a smart meter, can I begin the opt-out process today?
No. We will be working with customers who want to opt out once we begin installing meters in their neighborhood.