Atlantic City Electric is starting the installation of new smart meters for its nearly 565,000 customers beginning in September and continuing through 2024.
These upgrades are a key element of Atlantic City Electric’s Smart Energy Network, the company’s efforts to create smarter and more resilient energy infrastructure while providing new tools for an enhanced customer experience, according to a news release.
“We’re extremely excited about our smart meter installation and the benefits that the Smart Energy Network will provide for our customers,” said Morlon Bell-Izzard, senior vice president and chief customer officer for Pepco Holdings, which includes Atlantic City Electric.
There is no upfront cost to customers and costs will be spread across the company’s customer base over a period of many years to achieve the reliability, resiliency and efficiency benefits described above while maintaining affordability for customers.
Upgraded smart meters come with many advantages for customers including enhanced reliability, more timely and accurate information during outages and new tools to further benefit South Jersey residents. New upgraded smart meters provide:
Enhanced reliability with faster and more efficient power restoration efforts.
More detailed outage information when outages occur.
Tools that can help customers use energy more efficiently and save money.
Reduced need for estimated billing.
Better integration of new clean energy technologies, such as solar.
Smart meters, which are the same size and shape as existing analog meters, will also connect customers to a variety of clean energy choices, including installing solar energy, participating in robust energy efficiency programs and accessing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Customers will receive several continuous communications prior to their smart meter upgrade that will provide additional information about the upgrade process and the benefits that smart meters and the Smart Energy Network will provide.
The project will start in Cape May County starting in September and move through the rest of Atlantic City Electric’s service area through 2024. Before installation, customers will receive a number of notifications regarding their meter upgrades, including:
A post card approximately 30 days prior to their meter upgrade with information about the benefits and process for replacing their meter and a link to our website where they can learn more.
A letter, and an email if the customer uses that communications option, approximately two weeks prior to their meter upgrades with information about how the process will work and a number to call if the customer has concerns about a brief power outage when their meter is upgraded.
A reminder phone call, and a text message and app push notification for customers who are signed up for outage notifications via those channels, approximately one week before their meter upgrades.
A door-knock prior to the upgrade, as well as a doorhanger following to let customers know that the upgrade has taken place, or to provide a phone number they can call to schedule the upgrade if the initial attempt is unsuccessful.
An Atlantic City Electric representative will visit customers’ home or business to upgrade their existing electrical meter. The customer does not need to be on-site at the time of the exchange. An Atlantic City Electric representative will contact customers prior to installation if access to the home is needed.
Customers can learn more about how the Smart Energy Network is upgrading the grid and enhancing energy service by visiting atlanticcityelectric.com/SEN.
