Remote Meter Reading
Holston Electric Cooperative is in an 18 month project of installing remote read meters for all homes and small businesses. This will benefit the members by speeding up the meter reading process and reducing expenses.
The removal of your old meter and installation of a new remote read meter will only take a few minutes, and may actually go unnoticed by many residents. Holston Electric Cooperative workers will only need access to your current meter location - they will not need entrance into your house. The workers will also carry proper identification. If you do not see the Holston Electric Cooperative logo and the worker cannot produce identification, feel free to contact Holston Electric Cooperative at (423) 272-8821.
A bill insert explaining the new meters was sent out to all customers on two different occasions in 2011 and we have attempted to communicate the information using The Tennessee Magazine, press releases to our local newspapers, our website and other media forms.
What is remote meter reading?
Remote meter reading enables a co-op meter reader to read the meter at most locations without entering the homeowner's property. The meter reader uses a hand-held computer unit to record the meter reading that is sent via radio signal up from a distance of up to 3 miles away.
Why is Holston Electric Cooperative converting to remote meter reading?
With our remote reading service you don't have to be home to unlock a gate or tie up your dog. The new meters will virtually eliminate the need to go house to house to read electric meters, which means fewer trucks on the road.
How accurate are remote read meters?
Every remote read meter has been calibrated and tested to ensure accuracy. In fact, they are more precise as the element of human error has been removed. Additionally, homeowners can view the digital display at any time to monitor their energy usage and verify accuracy.
Is a remote read meter the same as a smart meter?
No, these are two very different products. A smart meter records consumption of electric energy in intervals and communicates that information back to the utility for monitoring and billing purposes through two-way communication, while a remote read meter allows for one-way communication with a hand-held computer unit. Remote read meters are secure, confidential, and used only for Holston Electric Cooperative business purposes. Your information is not shared, we do not sell customer information, and only Holston Electric Cooperative employees have access to your electricity consumption.
Remote read meters do not identify which appliances are in use in your home or how often you use them. Additionally, they do not recognize the time of day electricity consumption is occurring or provide data as to when members are not home. In fact, the only data obtained is the total number of kilowatt hours that have passed through the meter during a billing period just like your previous meter, and residential members will continue to receive a bill based upon their total usage at a set rate.
We hope this information will clear up any confusion but feel free to contact us if you have additional questions at (423) 272-8821.
