Advanced Metering
Overview
Longmont’s digital electric meters primarily use Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Sometimes called “smart meters,” these allow a number of advantages over the traditional meters that the city has used for decades. For example:
- Traditional meters are read once per month. Advanced meters read themselves multiple times per day, allowing a much clearer picture of energy use and more opportunities for energy efficiency.
- Advanced meters enable us to better integrate renewable energy and distributed energy resources (DERs) into our grid, supporting our goal of providing 100% renewable energy by 2030.
- Advanced meters can give faster warnings of outages and irregularities, allowing us to respond to issues quickly.
- Advanced meters can allow electric service to be connected or disconnected in seconds (for example, when a family moves in or out of a home), saving the hundreds of trips that our crews usually have to make … and saving the greenhouse gas emissions from all that driving, too!
- Advanced meters allow more rate options that may include charging less during times of day when there’s lower electrical demand.
Throughout the United States, advanced meters are steadily replacing traditional manually-read electric meters. In 2022, for example, U.S. electric utilities had installed about 119 million advanced meters according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, meaning that they now make up about 72% of the meters in the country. Of those installations, almost 90% were for residential customers.
Common Questions
How do these advanced meters send their information to LPC?
Our AMI meters transmit their information wirelessly for less than a second every hour.
Is this information private?
Yes. Under the Longmont Municipal Code (14.20.170) , customer-specific metering data will not be shared with third parties without the customer’s written permission or a court order. Our policy is in compliance with the Colorado Open Records Act, where utility customer information is specifically protected. It is also in compliance with governing state and federal requirements.
What information does the meter record?
Among other things, the meter will record how much power is being used and when, the voltage levels and whether there has been any interruption of service. It does not tell us (or anybody else) how that power is being used. In addition, no personal information (customer name, etc.) is stored in an advanced meter or transmitted from one.
Do I still need to keep my meter access clear?
Yes. We do still need to have reasonable access to the meter in case of any maintenance needs that may require an in-person visit. So please continue to follow the safety tips on our meter page.
Do these new meters utilize the City’s NextLight fiber network?
Yes, in a supporting role. The data sent wirelessly by our meters is received by 13 collectors around Longmont that are directly wired to NextLight’s fiber. This high-speed network allows us to quickly and easily get that data where it needs to go, giving Longmont a huge advantage over many other communities.
If I don’t want an advanced electric meter, can I opt out?
Yes. There will be a one-time cost to install a manually-read meter, and a small monthly charge to help defray meter reading administration costs. This opt-out (and the associated costs) is for the AMI project only and does not apply to any water meter upgrades.
How do I opt out?
Simply follow the link to our AMI opt-out form (English) or Opción de exclusión del proyecto de medición avanzada (Español) and then fill it out and submit it online. Please note that there is an extra cost for opting out after your advanced meter has been installed. If you need assistance with the opt-out form, please give us a call at 303-651-8386.
Are there any health impacts from advanced meters?
Agencies that study health effects and regulate radio frequency (RF) technologies such as the Federal Communications Commission and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health have determined that advanced metering equipment is safe for use in and near homes. According to the FCC, RF levels are greater in cell phones (almost 13,000 times greater), microwave ovens (about 300 times greater) and home Wi-Fi routers (almost 70 times greater) than from an AMI meter. Similar conclusions about AMI safety have been reached elsewhere; for one example, see this fact sheet from Canadian health officials. Information about this and other common AMI-related questions is also available from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative.
What safety standards govern advanced meters?
Advanced meters must meet the standards and requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), specifically the National Electric Safety Code (NESC). Our meters also meet UL 2735 certification, a utility meter safety standard that includes fire safety requirements.
