Smart meters coming to Truro area
New technology won’t bring steeper rates, but those opting out will have to pay a fee
TRURO, N.S. – Smart meters will not increase people’s power bills once they are switched on in Truro and elsewhere next year, says Nova Scotia Power.
“Transitioning to a smart meter will help customers better manage their electricity costs, help us respond more quickly in the event of an outage and enable remote power to be connected and disconnected without an appointment,” said Patti Lewis, communications advisor for NS Power.
However, customers who opt out of smart meter installation have to pay a fee on top of their bills to avoid costs being passed on to people upgrading to smart meters, Lewis said.
Customers who opt out will be charged extra
Customers whose meters are currently read every two months will move to two reads per year and pay a fee of approximately $4 per month. Customers whose meters are currently read each month will continue to have monthly reads and pay a fee of approximately $22 per month.
“It will not be charged to customers until the smart meter upgrade is complete and approval is received from the Nova Scotia Utility and Review board to begin charging fees,” said Lewis.
Meantime, Lewis said NS Power is offering its staff who drive out to read traditional meters a “career transition opportunity.”
Work on installing smart meters began last fall and is expected to be completed by 2021. Once the meters are ready, NS Power will switch on the smart grid.
Homes and business in Truro will have their smart meter installation completed by March, ready for next year, says Lewis. Installation in the rest of Colchester County is expected to be finished by June.
Until the smart grid is activated next year, Lewis said smart meters will be read just like traditional ones.
Customers in Truro and across the province were notified in advance, via mail, on their bills and on NS Power’s website.
Smart meters will form part of a digital grid across Nova Scotia, providing customers with daily information via computers and smartphones on their daily power usage.
The meters will also notify Nova Scotia Power when power goes out, allowing for a faster response time during outages.
“Over the next 20 years, our investment in smart meters and supporting technology will reduce costs in our electricity system which helps keep rates stable and affordable for customers,” said Lewis.
For more information on smart meter technology, go to https://www.nspower.ca/ smartmeters.