Smart Meters

Over the next several years, we are replacing the outdated meters currently on your home or business. The new smart meters will empower you to have more control over your energy use, along with improved customer service. You will be notified via mail, email and phone before your smart meter is installed.

What is a smart meter and how does it differ from other meters?

An advanced digital meter, sometimes called a smart meter, uses advanced metering and secure wireless technology to communicate between the meter and the utility and provide timely and accurate meter reading data. As SWEPCO adds new home energy management tools, the AMS meters will give customers more information to manage their energy use and costs. The AMS meters also will enable future capabilities like faster response to new service connections and other service requests, as well as automatic detection of power outages for a quicker start to repairs.

Will customers be able to use information from the AMS meters to manage their energy usage?

Yes. Many electric meters provide monthly total energy usage, but AMS meters capture data at 15-minute intervals, providing customers a much more detailed look at how they use energy. They can make more informed decisions about how and when to use energy in order to save energy and money. As SWEPCO implements new home energy management tools, customers will be able to access their information by smart phone, tablet or laptop.

Customers should have access to these tools approximately six weeks after smart meter is installed.

Will customer account and usage information remain confidential?

Yes. The meters and the associated communication system are encrypted and equipped with security features to prevent unauthorized access. SWEPCO is required to comply with all federal laws regarding the privacy, protection and disclosure of personal information. State law prohibits SWEPCO from providing customer information to outside third parties without the customer’s express permission.

Will the communications system interfere with home equipment?

No. All communications equipment meets criteria set by the Federal Communications Commission and should not interfere with any equipment inside a home or business.

Are these meters safe?

Yes. AMS meters use radio frequencies (RFs) to communicate. RFs emitted by digital meters are well below that produced by other common household devices like cell phones, microwaves, baby monitors and home WiFi networks. The RFs are also well below the limit set by the Federal Communications Commission. The American Cancer Society has found no link between smart meters and cancer.

More information: SmartGrid Consumer Collaborative’s “Radio Frequency and Smart Meters”

How will the new meters be read?

AMS meters will be read automatically with no need for monthly visits by meter personnel. The non-standard meter will require meter personnel to drive to the vicinity and collect data with an on-board receiver in the utility truck.

SWEPCO Deployment in Texas

SWEPCO is deploying smart meters to its Texas retail customers.

SWEPCO filed a request with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) on Aug. 4, 2021, for its Advanced Metering System (AMS) deployment plan. SWEPCO began installations with a pilot program for 10,000 Texarkana area customers in late 2021. Deployment to the rest of Texas customers is ongoing and will continue through 2024. In total, SWEPCO will deploy approximately 196,000 meters to its Texas customers.

AMS uses advanced metering and secure wireless technology to provide timely and accurate meter reading data. Customers can use this data to better understand and manage their electricity usage.

Instead of monthly data, customers will be able to see their usage in 15-minute intervals, which may provide customers with opportunities to save money through proposed pricing initiatives such as time-of-use tariffs and energy conservation.

In addition, SWEPCO customers can benefit through improved customer service and real-time outage notification to SWEPCO for more seamless power restoration during outage events.

SWEPCO Deployment in Louisiana

SWEPCO is deploying advanced digital meters, known as smart meters, to its Louisiana retail customers.

SWEPCO filed a request with the Louisiana Public Service Commission on April 25, 2022, to complete its Advanced Metering System (AMS) deployment plan. SWEPCO began installations with a pilot program for approximately 10,000 customers in Bossier City in late 2021. In addition, SWEPCO changed out approximately 2,000 meters in the Natchitoches area.

Deployment to the remaining 234,000 Louisiana retail customers began in October 2023.

The Advanced Metering System (AMS) uses advanced metering and secure wireless technology to provide timely and accurate meter reading data. Customers can use this data to better understand and manage their electricity usage. Instead of monthly data, customers will be able to see their usage in 15-minute intervals, which can provide customers with opportunities to save money through proposed pricing initiatives such as on demand response tariffs and energy conservation.

How to be ready

• Personnel from contractor QUES or SWEPCO will perform the meter replacement work. They will be in uniform, in marked vehicles, with proper identification.
• You do not need to be home.
• Please provide clear access to your meter.
• You will experience a brief power outage during your meter change (approximately 5 minutes).
• We will leave a door hanger when the work is complete or if any condition prevents the meter changeout.
• For access issues, contact Alan Graham in the Shreveport area at 318.673.3351, or Keith Addison in the Natchitoches area at 318.238.5719.
• AMS will be the standard meter. Customers have the option to select a non-standard meter, for which a one-time fee and recurring monthly charge will apply.
• For more information, call our Customer Solutions Center, toll free, at 888.216.3523.