- Access to energy use information 24 hours a day
- Improved outage detection and faster restoration
- More flexible services when the customer wants them
- Reducing the need to access the customer's property
What Do Smart Meters Do?
In simple terms, it communicates and transmits—in a wireless and automatic fashion—energy use and information, allowing a two-way communication between the customer and the energy provider.
Why Are Smart Meters Beneficial to the Customer?
- Smart meters provide customers with detailed energy use and information, allowing the customer to reduce their energy usage. A smart meter can be shut off during peak hours when people are not home.
- It improves the detection of power outages, aids in restoration and can even provide the customer with energy usage patterns.
- Certain companies will provide customer rebates for using the smart meter.
- Meters will no longer have to be read in person. This provides additional privacy at the customer’s home and eliminates human errors.
Some deregulated electricity companies are currently utilizing the smart meter, and close to 7,200 businesses already use it as well, but it will take some time for the regulated market to jump on board. This is due to the cost of the equipment and determining exactly who should be responsible for the cost of the meter.
