Smart Meter Technology

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) or "Smart Meters" are digital meters that measure and record electricity usage and automatically report the data to DEMCO using radio frequency technology. 

These meters are “Smart” because they have built-in technology to measure energy usage, voltage, and outages; then can automatically report this information directly to DEMCO.  Using technology that has been well-established for many years, smart meters are a safe and secure alternative to manual meter reading, and members can enjoy enhanced services.

About 30,000 DEMCO meters are already Smart. DEMCO will change-out the more than 70,000 meters that remain, so that all members are part of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure. Giving all members access to Smart Meter technology means our members receive electricity via the safest and most reliable electric distribution system available.

Smart Meters measure your kilowatt hour (kWh) usage of electricity and transmit that information to DEMCO using wireless radio frequency (RF) technology. RF technology is the same technology as used with common items already in your home such as baby monitors, wi-fi networks, and cell phones.

Not every DEMCO meter will be changed – about 30,000 DEMCO meters are already Smart. DEMCO aims to change the more than 70,000 meters that remain by the end of 2022. If your meter is scheduled for a change-out, you will be notified in advance. 

Our meter installation vendor, Texas Meter and Device Company (TMD), will be changing out the meters. Personnel will wear a TMD uniform, have identification cards, and their vehicles will be clearly marked with a sticker that reads ‘‘Licensed contractor of DEMCO.”

Convenient - Smart Meters automatically report energy usage, voltage, and outage information to DEMCO. This means DEMCO can quickly detect an outage, even if you’re not home to report it. 

Accurate - Smart Meters automatically send in the meter reading at predetermined times, so over time, it helps identify when you are using electricity.  Over time, this helps with energy use and your budget.

Enhanced Safety - Smart Meters can self-detect voltage issues and automatically send information to DEMCO, which means we can remotely monitor the safety and status of your meter.

More Member Control - Smart Meters can help you know more about how much power you use and when. This information can help you make informed energy-use choices and identify ways to conserve energy and save money.

Updated technology - Smart Meters use radio frequency technology – the same type of technology that is used for baby monitors, and wifi – to receive meter information. 

Member safety - Smart Meters can communicate with DEMCO using remote encrypted data to keep your information safe. Smart Meters can also detect tampering and transmit that information to DEMCO which is an added level of security.
 
Enhanced member service - Smart Meters provide a digital link between DEMCO and our members, and there is potential for new and expanded services, such as smart home energy management, load control, budget billing, usage alerts, outage notifications, and time-varying pricing.
 

DEMCO owns the meter. The property owner owns the meter enclosure box and all of the wiring in the home or business.

DEMCO will send an automated call to tell you when meters in your area are scheduled for change-out. You will also receive notification by mail prior to the meter being changed.  When our meter installation vendor, Texas Meter and Device Company (TMD), arrives at your home, the installers will knock at the door to let you know they are there to replace your meter. The installers will not need nor will they request to enter your home. They also will not request any personal or payment information from you for the meter replacement service.

Our meter installation vendor, Texas Meter and Device Company (TMD), will attempt to notify the resident upon arrival that the meter is being replaced. If no one is available and the meter is accessible, the installer will leave a door hanger and will proceed with the meter exchange

During the process, you will notice a brief power interruption. When the installation is complete, our meter installation vendor, Texas Meter and Device Company (TMD), will leave a door hanger at your location to let you know your meter has been replaced.

Most members do not need to do anything to prepare for the meter replacement. If meter access is obstructed in some way, those obstructions should be removed.

Our meter installation vendor, Texas Meter and Device Company (TMD), will leave a door hanger and phone number for the member to call and schedule the change-out once the meter is clearly accessible.

Smart Meters will not directly cause your bill to go up. However, if the old meter removed was not recording energy usage accurately, increased bills are possible.

Smart Meter installations in the U.S. are expected to reach 107 million by the end of 2020, averaging about 10 million new installations annually.

All DEMCO members are entitled to enjoy and participate in the new and improved services available as a result of advanced metering technology. This program is based on 100% acceptance rate; however, requests to opt-out of the Smart Meter upgrade program will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Smart Meters include technology which allows readings to be automatically submitted to DEMCO. However, DEMCO may need to access the Smart Meter at a future date to provide service or perform periodic quality control. The Smart Meter should always remain clearly accessible to the extent possible to allow for safe service at your location. 

Smart Meters operate in an approved FCC radio spectrum and will not interfere with existing RF devices due to mandatory FCC compliance regulations. 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. 
 

No. HAM radio operates on a different frequency, so smart meters will not interfere.

Smart Meters will record “net metering” the same as existing mechanical or electronic meters do today.

The wireless signals from Smart Meters comply with all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations for commonly used utility wireless devices. Medical device manufacturers advise people to consult with their physicians regarding radio signal interference if this is a concern.

Smart Meter technology has been well-established for many years as a safe and secure alternative to manual meter reading. The technology selected by DEMCO has been submitted and certified to be within all FCC and RF safety standards, the same standards as RF devices currently used in your home or business.
 

Smart meters do not add load to the member’s home. Smart Meters are powered by energy provided by DEMCO and only monitor the energy consumed by the member’s home.

Smart Meters are in the same category as baby monitors, residential wi-fi networks, and cell phones.

Smart Meters use minimal levels of (RF) transmissions – they are categorized as low radiation and cannot penetrate our body. RF waves are not cancer-causing.

Smart Meters are only known by their ID on the AMI network, and no member account information such as name or address is broadcast by the meter. Data from the meter is also encrypted, further securing the network and information.

While AMI meters have added a new component to our system, the meters, communications, and information management are subject to the same Department of Energy security standards that keep the grid secure.

Cybersecurity is nothing new to the utility industry. We have extensive experience maintaining cybersecurity for information systems and operating the electricity grid.

No member account information such as name or address is broadcast by the meter. Data from the meter is also encrypted, further securing the network and information.

DEMCO and other utilities already take careful measures to prevent unauthorized access to computers that control critical electrical systems. Cyber security is not new to us, and we routinely protect highly sensitive data from unauthorized access through the use of encryption technologies.

All DEMCO meter information is encrypted, preventing any unauthorized access to member energy consumption information. 

Smart Meters can detect tampering in real-time. Tampering or energy theft is recorded and transmitted to DEMCO, which means we can help monitor your meter if anyone attempts to tamper with it.