New Meters are here
Over the next couple of years, Benton PUD will be upgrading the meters throughout our system with installation starting in January.
As Benton PUD installs the new meters we will notify customers by mail in advance. Installation will take place Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Customers may experience a momentary outage while the meter is installed. After the installation, the meter will be read by a meter reader and by the new system to ensure it is working properly for one billing cycle. In the future, A Benton PUD employee will occasionally check the meter for routine maintenance and inspection.
Benton PUD customers will still receive the same reliable service and the bill from Benton PUD will look the same. Because the new meters replace aging electromechanical meters which tend to slow down as they get older, customers may see a slight increase in their bill.
With the new meters, Benton PUD will be able to remotely read the meters as well as connect or disconnect service on most of them. Information from the meters will be used to improve customer service, system performance and operating efficiency.
Benefits from the new meters include:
Lower costs – The new meters will enable Benton PUD to operate more efficiently with the savings passed on to our customers.
Faster power restoration – Once the system is fully deployed, if there is an outage the meters will let us know so we can send crews out for repairs. Verification of power restoration will be improved.
Better for the environment – We will not need to access customers property monthly to read meters, so there will be fewer vehicles on the road resulting in less fuel consumption and lower vehicle emissions.
Energy Savings – In the future, customers will be able to access information about power use, manage energy usage and cut costs.
Frequently asked questions about the new meters
Newsletter article (May): 25,000 meters installed
Newsletter article (January): Smart Meters: The first step for Smart Grid
News Release - DOE Selects NW and Benton PUD for $178 million Smart Grid Demonstration Project