New smart meter? What you should know about it

Smart meters are coming, smart meters are coming, if you haven't had one installed already.

PSE&G will have installed more than 2.3 million smart meters by 2024, while Atlantic City Electric will install more than 540,000 meters by 2024, a spokesperson said.

The smart meters enhance grid reliability, provide better information during outages and support new energy saving programs and tools.

Atlantic City Electric started its installations in September of 2022 and it will continue through 2024.

The utility says the upgrades support its efforts to "create smarter and more resilient energy infrastructure while providing new tools for an enhanced customer experience."

Atlantic City Electric launched the new meters in the Cape May region "and we’re starting to work our way up the coast right now to ensure we are completing as many of the shore towns as possible outside of the tourist season at the shore," said Amber Burruezo, a utility spokesperson.

"We’re installing smart meters for all of our customers, both residential and commercial," she said.

PSE&G installed about 80,000 smart meters in 2021 and planned to install 300,000 meters in the second year, and another 1.8 million meters in the final two years.

New upgraded smart meters provide:

• Enhanced reliability with faster and more efficient power restoration efforts.

• More detailed outage information.

• Tools that can help customers use energy more efficiently and save money.

• Reduced need for estimated billing.

• Better integration of new clean energy technologies, such as solar.

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They allow two-way electronic communication between the meter and the utility's systems. They enable automated meter reading and ensure accurate billing each month by virtually eliminating estimated readings.

Customers will receive a letter before the electric meter is replaced with a smart meter. If the meter is outside and accessible, you don't need to be available at the time of the installation. Most upgrades can take up to 30 minutes and there will be a brief power interruption while the technician changes the meter.

New Jersey residential customers can opt out of having a smart meter installed by calling PSE&G at 908-325-4020 or Atlantic City Electric at 866-524-2982.

If you opt out of a smart meter before installation, PSE&G will charge a $12 monthly fee, while AC Electric will charge $15. This fee will cover the cost of the manual meter reading that will be required.

If you opt out after a smart meter has been installed, you will incur a one-time $45 meter change-out fee, according to both utility companies. That is in addition to the monthly fees.

Celeste E. Whittaker is a news features reporter for the Courier Post, Daily Journal and Burlington County Times. The South Jersey native started at the CP in 1998 and has covered the Philadelphia 76ers, college and high school sports and has won numerous awards for her work. Reach her by email at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @cp_CWhittaker.

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