Your Meter is About to Get Smarter
Introducing the Gulf Power Smart Meter program, an automated electronic metering and meter communication system designed to monitor your home’s or business’s energy usage. The state-of-the-art technology behind the Smart Meter system will help provide all our customers with a host of new and future benefits.
During the transition to the Smart Meter program, Gulf Power customers will continue to receive the same reliable service you've come to expect from us. We will continue to accurately read your meter and correctly bill you in a timely manner. You'll only notice your meter has been changed because installation requires a momentary interruption of your electric service. If the design of your electrical service calls for it, your power will not be interrupted while the meter is upgraded. In the event there is a problem with installation that requires power interruption, we will schedule an installation time that is convenient for you.
Your meter is about to get smarter.
Gulf Power Smart Meter is an automated electronic metering and meter communication system designed to monitor your home's energy usage. Over time, the state-of-the-art technology behind the Smart Meter system will help provide Gulf Power's entire customer base with a host of benefits.
What will happen next?
During the transition to the Smart Meter program, Gulf Power customers will continue to receive the same reliable service they expect. We will continue to accurately read your meter and correctly bill you in a timely manner. You'll only notice you meter has been changed because installation requires a momentary interruption of electric service.
When will my new Smart Meter be installed?
Gulf Power technicians began replacing existing meters with new Smart Meters in the Pine Forest/Cantonment area in Escambia County. By the end of 2009, the company plans to install about 15,000 meters at areas of opportunity, and will be gradually phasing in the system on a cost-effective basis over the next several years.
With the Smart Meter program, your electric meter will be read remotely through communication towers. In the future, a number of new customer benefits will become available, including access to online energy usage information.
Once connected, Smart Meters are read remotely, four times a day. The meters can also provide detailed energy data - all without the need for a representative to manually read meters.
- Gulf Power will be able to read meters and generate bills without having a representative visit on a regular basis.
- The first wave of installation will alleviate the need to add new meter-reading routes and will also target areas of high meter-reading cost.
- A meter can be checked remotely to ensure it is working properly.
- It will reduce the number of vehicles on the road, reducing pollution, liability and traffic, while saving fuel.
Who will receive Smart Meters?
The Smart Meter system will be system-wide for Gulf Power and its Southern Company affiliates Alabama Power, Georgia Power and Mississippi Power -- about 4.3 million customers.
Do I have to be at home when my Smart Meter is installed?
You do not have to be home when Smart Meter is installed. However, technicians notify residents who are at home during the brief installation. There is an interruption of generally a few seconds during installation.
Are there any eligibility requirements to receive a Smart Meter?
The Gulf Power Smart Meter program eventually will be a system-wide upgrade for all Gulf Power customers.
Will installing Smart Meter affect my energy bill?
Gulf Power is replacing all existing meters free of charge to our customers. However, once the system software is integrated, the system will allow Gulf Power to provide you with detailed energy usage information and rate options so you can better manage your home's energy use.
Future benefits
Once the software is integrated, Smart Meters can provide data which will allow customers to better manage their energy use. Customers are expected to have the option of seeing how much and when they use energy throughout the day. Smart Meters also may lead to more pricing options based on real-time energy use.
- Access energy usage information online - you'll be able to better understand and monitor you own energy use.
- As technology advances, additional features are to come.
With the Gulf Power Smart Meter program, the meter of the future is here.
Where can I learn more about the Smart Meter?
If you have any questions, please call us or return to this Web site in the future for updates on the Smart Meter program.
