Consumers Energy Smart Energy^®

Q: What is an upgraded meter?
A: An upgraded meter is technology in the form of a digital meter with communication capabilities. We use the cellular telephone network to read meters remotely, once each day. The cellular device within the meter enables two-way communication to gather total energy consumption and send it back to us. This use information is in no way allowing us to determine how much energy individual appliances within a home are using.

Q: I already have an upgraded meter. Why are you installing another?
A: As technology evolves, so must we. While the function of your upgraded meter won’t change, installing the latest technology helps us deliver safe, reliable energy, ensure accurate billing and improve our outage response.

Q: Do upgraded meters cause high bills?
A: No. The upgraded meters are tested for accuracy by our meter vendor. High bills are typically caused by: weather-related changes to your use, past due balances, days between your last read, budget plan adjustments or catch-up bills from estimates. Occasionally, if your meter is unable to communicate and we are not able to read it manually or replace it, you will also receive an estimated bill for that month.

If you’ve noticed your bill seems higher than previous months, consider the following:

• Are you using a space heater or air conditioner more than usual?
• What’s the temperature setting on your thermostat, and is it adjusted to eco mode when you are note home?
• Have you changed your use habits, especially from June 1 - Sept. 30 when prices are higher from 2-7p.m.?

Do you have electric or natural gas heat?

• When was the last time that your air filter was changed?
• Has your heater been inspected in the last year?
• Have you had a Home Energy Analysis to find places your heat may be escaping your home?
• Additional people in the home or people home more frequently during the day?
• Is your home well insulated? When you stand near your doors and/or windows, do you feel cold air coming in?

Small changes in your energy use can impact your bill. If you have an upgraded meter, you can track your daily energy use online.

Q: What if I don't want a smart meter on my home?
A: Nearly all meters have been upgraded. If you’d like to opt out after your electric meter has been upgraded, there is a one-time fee of $123.91 (if notified prior of installation, the one-time fee is $69.39) and a $3.00/month charge after that to cover the manual meter read.

Natural gas customers on Residential Service Rates A or A-1 and General Service Rates GS-1 have the option to opt-out. If you’d like to opt-out after your meter has been upgraded, there is a one-time fee of $177.53 (if notified prior to installation, the one-time fee is $109.94) and $6.03/month charge after that to cover the manual meter read.

For more information or to opt-out, please call 800-477-5050.
 
Q: What do upgraded meters mean for you?
A: Upgraded meters mean:

• Improved Outage Response: The upgraded meters present improved power outage detection which may reduce outage time. In the future, the sensors along the lines of distribution on the smart grid will enable us to locate and determine the cause of the outage, often even before you report the outage. In addition, we’ll have the ability to re-route your electricity around the faulty power lines, to restore your power more quickly. This means greater reliability and service quality.
• Accurate Billing: The upgraded meters will eliminate surprise energy bills at the end of the month because you will have the ability to go online and monitor your accruing bill throughout the month. You can track your daily energy use online.
• Select Your Bill Due Date
• Programs to Help You Save: Many of our clean energy programs rely on smart meters to help you save energy and money on your bill by recording not only your total use, but when energy is used. This allows you to pay less during certain times of the day and/or earn rewards.
• Switch Your Rate: Rate options that allow you to save money by reducing your energy use when demand is highest and energy is most expensive.

Q: Why is Consumers Energy investing in a smarter energy future?
A: We work to improve our customer service and energy service reliability. Smart Energy technologies, including upgraded meter technology - upgraded meters - are key to serving our neighbors better.

Q: What are in-home privacy and related issues about upgraded meters?
A: Data collected from all of Consumers Energy's meters is subject to stringent data-privacy protections. Similar to how your cell phone provider sends a bill that monitors when you used your minutes, we’ll be able to send you information regarding when you use your energy. Sign up to receive outage and billing alerts.

We comply with the best security practices. Similar to protecting a computer from viruses with firewalls, we will protect customers using security features. The meters and associated communications system are encrypted and equipped with security features to prevent unauthorized access.

Q:What is the Smart Grid?
A: The smart grid is the modernized electrical grid. Using digital technology, supply and demand of electricity can be better managed to improve system reliability and efficiency.