Frequently asked questions on Advanced Meters

• What are advanced meters?

  Advanced meters link with a communications network and a central system to remotely measure utility use, connect and disconnect services, detect tampering, and identify outages. The only difference between AMI meters and the electronic meters we have been purchasing for more than 20 years is that AMI meters will record usage information more often and will have a radio card in them to communicate with our system.

• How do advanced meters work?

  Traditional meters and automated meters record total energy consumption. We collect data from traditional meters on a monthly basis. Smart meters record and transmit your energy consumption regularly throughout the day (via a secure wireless network)

• Are advanced meters new technology?

  No. Approximately 69% of all meters in America are advanced meters. They have been around for nearly 50 years. Klickitat PUD is one of the last public utilites in the state to convert to an advanced meter system. 

• Will I be charged for my updated meters?

  No, you will not. This is a budgeted system-wide capital improvement project.

• How does advanced metering benefit me?

  The additional meter data will enable Klickitat PUD to better communicate with you regarding electricity consumption, detect outages and assist in power quality issues. It will also help you use electricity more efficiently.

• Does this mean a meter reader will no longer come by my house monthly?

  Yes. If you have an advanced meter installed, there will no longer be a need for a meter reader to come read the meter monthly, though annual meter reads and maintenance will still occur.

•  Will the appearance of my utility meters be different?

  Your updated meters will look very similar to the current meters.

•  Will I notice any changes?

  You can anticipate that your monthly usage will be recorded on the same day each month. You will be able to more accurately know and compare each month's usage. You may notice a meter reader no longer has to visit your meter each month.

•  Will my new meter make my bills higher?

  Advanced meters measure utility usage in exactly the same way as our current meters. The new meters will continue to measure only the actual amount of service you use, and the meter itself will not cause your bills to increase or decrease.
  
  Your bill could be impacted if your existing meter is running slow or if KPUD implements a new Time of Use (TOU) rate structure in the future. 

•  Are advanced meters safe and accurate? 

  Yes they are.  Advanced meters must meet the UL 2735 Metering Standard for Electric Utility Meters, which is the same standard our current meters must meet. It is important to note that we have been using electronic meters for many years and 70% of our meters are already electronic.  We have not bought analogue meters in over 20 years. Advanced meters will be installed and uninstalled only by trained professionals exercising standard safety precautions.

• Will the communication system interfere with my home or business equipment?

  Advanced meters should not adversely affect the stability or performance of your home wireless networks. The FCC regulates all electronics to prevent one type of electronic equipment from interfering with other electronic and wireless devices that operate in the same frequency band.

• Will my account and usage information remain confidential?

  Yes.  KPUD's Data Security Policy requires that meter usage data be treated by the utility and any service provider, like AMI, as Personally Identifiiable Information (PII) compliance data.
  
  

• What amount of radio frequency is emitted from advanced meters?

  The strength of the radio frequency (RF) emitted by advanced meters is very low and intermittent. In fact, these meters only transmit for a few seconds out of every hour.  Our vendor, Landis & Gyr (L&G), states that on average meters in the systems they have installed communicate for less than 90 seconds a day.  RF emitted by these meters is well below the radio frequency limits set by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), International Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  These emission occur outside your home and are well below the levels produced by other common household devices like cell phones, baby monitors, satellite TVs, and microwave ovens.  Independent testing by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) concluded that even if an equivalent L&G meter were to transmit continuously, they would still be less than 0.2% of the published exposure standards.

•  If I have questions about my meter upgrade, who can I talk to? 

  You can stop in the Klickitat PUD office in Goldendale or contact (800) 548-8357 and we would be happy to visit with you about the meter changes.

• Will KPUD provide an opt-out option?

  On May 23, 2023 Klickitat PUD Commissioners approved a change to our Electric Customer Service policy that outlines eligibility requirements, fees, and application process that may provide an option to opt-out for some residential customers. At an option you may review our AMI Customer Eligibility Checklist to evaluate if your service is eligable for the opt-out program. Please refer to Policy 21- Addendum 1_Advanced Meter Opt-Out for specific requirements. You may also contact our offices at 800-548-8357 M-F 8am - 5pm for further information. 

• Can the PUD control any devices inside my home with the AMI system?

  No.  The AMI technology will only provide readings on how much electricity you use and when.  There is technology that can integrate with in-home control systems, and that may be something we offer to customers who choose to participate in the future, but additional equipment would need to be installed.