As of June 2011, smart meters are being installed at residential and commercial properties throughout NHEC territory. The installations are being conducted regionally on a town-by-town basis. Two to four weeks before your property is scheduled for installation, you will receive a letter from NHEC. This letter will explain when and how the install will occur and provide you with contact information in the event that you have any questions at that time.

What to expect?

First and foremost, this mandatory meter upgrade meter project does not pose any additional cost to you, the member, and for most, the transition will be virtually seamless.

NHEC has partnered with the Utility Partners of America (UPA) to conduct the meter installations. The UPA installer scheduled to visit your home or business will be wearing a UPA uniform and driving a clearly marked UPA vehicle. He/she will also have a UPA badge of certification, in the event that you wish to see it.

The UPA installer will knock on your door to let you know that he/she is there to perform the meter upgrade. If you aren't there, the installer will leave behind a door hanger to let you know whether the installation was successful or not and to inform you if any additional steps are required.

The UPA installer will remove the old meter, record the existing meter reading for your home or business, and photograph it to be sure subsequent readings match. All old meters will be tested for accuracy, stored for a brief time, and then recycled.

How can you help?

If you have an exterior meter and its location can be easily accessed, the UPA installer should have no problem performing the meter upgrade at your property. You are not required to be home for this install but you should know that a brief interruption of power is required to remove the old meter and install the new one. This will likely mean that you will need to reset digital clocks and other timers and appliances in your home.

If you have an indoor meter or meter(s) that require access for monthly reads you will be contacted by a UPA installer before your meter is changed.

To help increase the likelihood that the upgrade is successfully completed when an installer visits your property, please be sure the location of your meter is safe and clear by trimming trees and shrubs, clearing a path and securing dogs or other protective/territorial pets. NHEC and UPA thank you in advance for this courtesy.

What if you have a medical condition that requires notification of power outages?

If you have identified your home to NHEC as having someone on the premises with a medical condition requiring notification of planned outages, you will be contacted in advance of a UPA installer changing your meter. If NHEC is not aware of a medical condition at your property, please contact UPA directly at 1-877-423-3195.

Will there be any noticeable changes once the upgrade has been performed?

You will be paying the same rates (with regular seasonal fluctuations) once the meter installation is complete. You will also continue to receive a monthly bill at the usual time.

Likewise, it is important that you know that this upgrade does not give NHEC control over your usage in any way and the installation of this new meter alone does not automatically provide savings. To learn more about savings and efficiencies opportunities and what you do with the information made available to you, please click here to read about how the smart meter can serve as a valuable tool to you.

What if the UPA installer can't perform an upgrade to your meter?

There are a few possible reasons why an upgrade may not be possible when a UPA installer visits your property. As discussed above, some of these can be easily avoided by keeping the meter area free of obstructions or other safety and access hazards.

In the event that the installer cannot perform the upgrade at your property, you will be notified immediately. If you are not present at the time of the installation attempt, a door hanger will be left behind to indicate that a UPA installer was on site and will need to return at a later date.