What is a Smart Electricity Meter or Smart Meter?
A smart meter is a new type of meter that measures and records your electricity use at different times of day. A smart meter will be able to record your electricity use every half hour and provide you with more information about your consumption. This will provide you with better information and allow you to make more informed decisions on the use of electricity in your home.
What does the smart meter look like?
A smart meter will be a similar size to the meter you have now. However, the display is digital and it does not have dials. There will be different types and models of smart meters. Please see the below picture for an example of what your smart meter may look like.
All smart meters have an internal antenna. In some instances the distributor may attach a small external antenna to the meter box at the time of installation.
Please note that these are only an example. When your new smart meter is installed your distribution business will provide you with an information pack about your specific smart meter. For questions regarding the operation or if you have had a new smart meter installed but have not received information on its operation, please contact the electricity distributor in your area. To find the contact details for your local electricity distributor click here.
Do I have to have a smart meter?
It is the Victorian Government’s policy objective that distributors roll out new smart meters to all Victorian households and small businesses by the end of 2013.
How are the costs of the smart meter being recovered?
In the same way you pay for your current meter and electricity infrastructure (electricity poles and wires).The Australian Energy Regulator has approved an allowance for the Victorian distributors to recover the costs associated with rolling out the new smart meters. The distributors will pass the costs through to your energy retailer and the costs of the smart metering system will be recovered through your electricity bill over a number of years. click here for more information on the Australian Energy Regulator's approval of distributors' costs for rolling out the new meters.
How much energy does the smart meter itself take to run?
Similar to your current meter's energy use, the level of energy required to run the smart meter is very low - almost insignificant. You will not be billed for the energy used to run the metering equipment.
Do I own the smart meter?
No, the smart meter, like your existing electricity meter, is owned by your electricity distributor.
Will I receive a smart meter if I am currently transferring to a new electricity retailer?
All Victorian residential and small business customers will get a smart meter regardless of whether you change your electricity retailer. It is unlikely that you will receive a smart meter at the same time you change retailer. It will depend on when smart meters are rolled out in your area.
I understand that smart meters use radio frequency communication. Is this safe?
The smart metering equipment is required to comply with Australian safety standards.
The smart metering system makes use of low power radio (RF) transmitters to communicate meter readings in the range of 900MHz, 2.3GHz or 2.4GHz. These communications frequencies are within Australian guidelines and are governed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
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Victorian Smart Meter Rollout Information
Where can I get more information on the Victorian Government’s smart meter initiative?
For questions regarding Victorian Government policy on smart meters, please contact the Department of Primary Industries. Visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/smartmeters or phone 136 186.
For questions regarding the smart meter installation and operation, please contact the electricity distributor in your area. To find the contact details for your local electricity distributor click here
For questions regarding the Australian Energy Regulator’s approval of distributors’ cost recovery for rolling out the new smart meters visit, http://www.aer.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/726529
What are the timeframes involved in the rollout?
Installing the new smart meters in every Victorian household and small business will take place between late 2009 and the end of 2013. You will be advised directly by your electricity distributor when the new smart meters are to be installed in your area.
What are the roles of the Electricity Distributor and Electricity Retailer businesses in relation to smart meters?
Your electricity distributor is responsible for installing your new smart meter. Your electricity retailer
(TRUenergy) is responsible for billing you for the costs of supplying energy to you. These costs include: the cost of generating energy, costs of the infrastructure and services to deliver energy to your premise and the costs for metering.
Can I volunteer to get my smart meter installed now?
In order to maximise the efficiency of the smart meter rollout across the state, customers will not be able to request the installation of a smart meter. These will be done in designated areas. You will be notified by your distributor when the roll out occurs in your area.
My next door neighbour/friend has not received notification of the smart meter exchange, why did I get one?
Your neighbour/friend may not yet be scheduled to have a smart meter installed at their property. The smart meter rollout will progressively run from late 2009 to the end of 2013.
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Smart Meter Installation Information
What happens if my property is damaged in any way when the meter is being installed?
If any damage occurs please contact your electricity distributor to report it. It will be investigated and resolved as quickly as possible. To find the contact details for your local electricity distributor click here.
Will I have to pay the installer for the smart meter to be installed?
The Australian Energy Regulator has approved an allowance for the Victorian distributors to recover the costs associated with installing the new smart meters. The distributors will pass these costs through to your energy retailer and the costs of the installation will be recovered through your electricity bill over a number of years. This is the usual way in which industry programs are funded.
See the following link for more information on the Australian Energy Regulator’s approval of distributors’ costs for rolling out the new meters,
click here.
How will I know if my meter's been replaced with a new smart meter?
Once your area is scheduled for the smart meter installation, you will receive introductory letters from the Victorian Government and your electricity distributor about the smart meter replacement program.
Your electricity distributor will then advise you when the installation will take place – providing a 10 day period within which it will occur.
Before the smart meter installation occurs, the qualified meter installer appointed by your electricity distributor will knock on your door to inform you that the installation is about to occur. In normal circumstances however, there is no need for you to be present.
Once the meter installation is complete, the meter installer will leave information at your premises to advise you that the meter installation is complete and provide details on how to read your new smart meter.
Can I get the new smart meter put in a different location to the existing meter?
A qualified meter installer will install your smart meter in the same location as your existing meter. If you would like to have your smart meter moved to another location following its installation, you need to contact a Registered Electrical Contractor (Electrician) who will advise you of the costs involved to relocate your meter.
Will they knock on my door before they start the work?
Yes. Prior to beginning the meter installation, the meter installer will advise that the works are about to begin. You will also be advised when the meter installation is complete.
Do I need to be home for the smart meter installation?
You do not have to be home when the smart meter is installed at your property. However, your electricity distributor will require clear and safe access to your meter box to complete the smart meter installation.
If you believe that a meter installer cannot gain unrestricted access to your meter, please contact your electricity distributor. To find the contact details for your local electricity distributor
click here.
Will my electricity be interrupted during the smart meter installation, and if so, for how long?
Yes. As with any meter replacement, the installation of your smart meter will require a short power interruption of approximately 30 to 60 minutes. If you are at home, the installer will inform you prior to commencing the replacement so that you aware that your electricity will be interrupted.
If there are any unusual circumstances and the interruption takes longer, you will be advised.
After the power interruption you will need to reset your digital clocks and other electronic devices.
What time of the day/week will the actual meter installation be performed?
The majority of works will be carried out Monday to Friday, between 8am to 5pm. However, some work outside of these hours and on weekends may be required. You will be informed if this is necessary at your property prior to the work commencing.
What if there is a problem with either the smart meter or my electricity supply after the smart meter is installed?
After the smart meter has been installed, your local electricity distributor will provide details regarding who to contact if you have any problems with the new smart meter. To find the contact details for your local electricity distributor click here.
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Post Smart Meter Installation Information
Where can I find information on how to read my smart meter?
Most distribution companies are attaching stickers on the lower part of the meter and / or are providing a flyer at the time of installation to explain to customers how to read their meter. For questions regarding the operation or if you have had a new smart meter installed but have not received information on its operation, please contact the electricity distributor in your area. To find the contact details for your local electricity distributor click here.
Will my first bill after the meter replacement look any different?
Not necessarily. If you're a TRUenergy customer, you will be notified of any changes to your electricity bill prior to or at the time you receive your bill with the changes.
Will there be any other visits after the initial installation?
The electricity distributor is responsible for ensuring that the smart meter operates reliably and accurately. There may be a need for additional visits to check the meter from time to time, though this is not expected to occur often. Your distributor will contact you about these visits if it is likely to impact you, however this is unlikely to be the case.
Will my tariffs change when I get a new meter?
The Victorian Government announced on Monday 22 March 2010 that it will delay the introduction of new Time of Use tariffs as part of the interval meter roll out whilst more studies are done on the effects of this type of pricing on vulnerable customer groups.
Time of Use tariffs will however still be available in limited circumstances to a small numbers of customers who agree to this pricing option. Also, note that older style Time of Use tariffs have been around for some time and customers who already have Time of Use rates (eg off peak rates for weekends) will continue to receive these rates.