NYSEG to test new billing methods

(Photo Source: NYSEG)

New smart utility meters that would bring more accurate readings and precise billing for customers are coming to the town of Harford this summer.

Upgraded electric meters will be installed by New York State Energy and Gas (NYSEG) crews starting in July and into April next year, according to informational materials provided by NYSEG (pages 32-38). The company stated they are seeking to install 94,191 smart meters for electric and gas readings during that time frame in the Ithaca service area. This area includes portions of the counties of Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga, and Tompkins. 

The county’s Agriculture, Planning and Environmental Committee discussed the installation of the meters at a recent meeting. County clerk of the legislature Savannah Hempstead said the installation of the new electric meters will begin in the town of Harford and gradually move into the rest of the county.

“They'll begin with electric meters and move to install the gas meters eventually,” she said. “Customers should only experience a short shut-off period of about 10 minutes due to the install.”

Installing the new gas meters should not cause any interruptions in service, Hempstead said. 

“The new meters will help with getting better service to the residents and we will have better recovery from outages,” she said.

In a fact sheet provided by the company, NYSEG officials note that smart meters offer convenience, more control, and expanded choice in understanding and managing energy use.

“Smart meters use two-way wireless communication to securely enable detailed hourly usage information,” the company noted in the informational materials. “These upgrades were approved by the New York Public Service Commission in November 2020.”

Some of the tangible perks of the new meters include:

  • Fewer estimates: Smart meters measure detailed hourly energy use. Monthly bills are based on customers’ actual energy consumption.
  • Faster outage response: Two-way communication allows for faster diagnosis and quicker response by highlighting outages based on meter status.
  • Fewer visits from crews: NYSEG technicians can receive smart meters readings remotely, reducing the need for on-site visits.

NYSEG informational materials also suggest hours for meter installations are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • “This is a process that is coming along slowly and there will be notices from NYSEG as they come in in the next year or so,” Legislative Minority Leader Beau Harbin (D-LD2) said at the meeting.

According to the company’s fact sheet, NYSEG officials will send a postcard weeks in advance to existing customers in the area informing them that crews may visit the area to install smart meters.