Once your smart meter has been installed, your usage information will be recorded electronically. You will be able to view your usage information on an online portal at www.nhec.coop. (Please note that web portal will not be available until later this year after the completion of upgrades to the Communications System Infrastructure.) When enough data has been accumulated, you will be able to log in to see your energy usage in the kind of detail that has not been available before. You'll be able to track the trends in your daily usage, identify peak usage times and see the effect of weather on your usage. It is this information that can help you make decisions about how to better manage your usage, in turn helping you identify and implement energy-saving measures.

The online portal will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to provide you with a detailed record of your energy usage in weekly, daily, even hourly intervals. The portal will also give you the ability to mark the date and time of new energy-saving initiatives-like the installation of energy-efficient light bulbs or Energy Star-rated appliances-and track your savings each day. If you are a seasonal member of NHEC, or a member with multiple meter locations within NHEC territory, the online portal will allow you to remotely check energy usage. Higher-than-expected readings can help members identify unnecessary energy consumption due to a device that was unintentionally left on or one that is malfunctioning. And for those who are island-dwellers or are otherwise in a hard-to-reach area, monthly bills will be possible rather than twice annual bills.