The installations started this summer. All meters will be replaced with new meters. It is expected to take 18 months to complete the replacement across our system.
Advanced Meters FAQ
Yes, for a few minutes while the old meter is removed and a new meter is installed. You will need to reset electronic clocks and other devices.
With these new meters, RC will continue to read the meter remotely from our central office. Information from the meter is transmitted back to the co-op electronically.
The meter upgrade provides RC member-owners with numerous benefits. The new meters will help us:
- Monitor the service to all of our member-owners to improve the quality of service provided
- Reduce labor costs associated with the maintenance of the electric grid
- Automatically pinpoint the exact location of outages, meaning a faster response time
- Help our member-owners troubleshoot high-bill problems by providing information about power consumption patterns, outage and blink count history and voltage information, reducing usage questions
- Improve electric service reliability and power quality – fewer outages and blinks
- Help secure the overall safety of the co-op employee team
How much is this going to cost?
There will be no additional costs to the member to install the new system. There is no rate increase anticipated in association with this project.
No additional parts are anticipated or required.
No. New meters will be installed on all accounts. The co-op is embarking on a system-wide program that will change 100 percent of existing residential and commercial meters in order to acquire more accurate information and provide better service. The old meters are not compatible with the new system. The existing metering system provides limited information – primarily that which is used for bill purposes only. With the new system, member-owner service representatives can access the meter information and obtain the reading almost instantaneously.
Other features of the new system will provide engineering data that will enable us to monitor the system better and correct inefficiencies.
The new meters are digital electronic devices with a more efficient communication system compared to the old meters. They will continue to record the kilowatt-hour and demand data for billing purposes, as well as provide additional information about the electrical condition of the power grid.
Yes, member-owners will continue to stay on the same rate class as they have in the past. There will be NO increased cost to the member.
Contact the co-op office right away to discuss your billing concerns. Electronic meters are more accurate. The new meters installed have been tested and meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) regulations.
The new meters allow for accurate readings and a consistent billing period.
The new meter records an electronic kWh reading, the date and time of energy usage, the overall peak demand of the electric account, if the meter has rotated backward, and the number of times the meter has experienced a loss of power for any reason. In fact, the meter will record the date and time of light blinks and the length of the power outage. The meters are equipped to notify RC when the power goes out and when it is restored and can provide engineering data.