Q: What are the benefits of new automated meters?
A: It informs GreyStone of a power outage at your home without you calling to inform us, helping us to get your power back on more quickly in case of outage. It integrates with our present computer outage management system to share data and helps us allocate crews more efficiently. However, still feel free to call us to report an outage, and in cases of safety hazards, you should always call to report them, such as downed lines. In addition, once power is restored, GreyStone will receive verification without having to call you. It also will provide GreyStone with an indication of the number of momentary interruptions in power your home is experiencing each day so that we can ensure your level of service is acceptable. It enables us to monitor the maximum demand at your home to ensure that the transformer feeding your home is adequately sized to accommodate your energy usage. This is very important when it is 100 degrees outside and your air conditioner is running constantly to keep up with the demand. It may also enable GreyStone to offer additional service and billing options in the future. Automated meter reading will help us quickly spot meter tampering and energy theft, reducing costs that have to be passed on to members. It will also help us quickly spot causes of high bills and help us in troubleshooting problems.
Automated meter reading will enable us to keep your electric bill as competitive as possible through cost savings, as well as increasing the reliability of your electric service. It eliminates the need for utility personnel to visit your home and property monthly to read your meter. It increases billing accuracy by reducing the potential for human error in reading, recording and entering your meter reading into the billing system. It also eliminates the need for estimating your bill during months that your meter may have been inaccessible.
Q: When will my meter be replaced?
A: GreyStone plans to have all meters replaced within a three-year period beginning Aug. 1, 2007. We began in the South Fulton area, and when those are completed, we will probably begin replacing meters in the Douglasville/Chapel Hill area. We will keep you notified through personal mail, our newsletters and Web site.
Q: Do I have to be present when my meter is replaced?
A: No, you will not need to be present unless access to your meter is somehow restricted. We will leave a door hanger on your front door indicating that we have completed the work and you now have an automated meter.
Q: My meter is in a restricted area. How will you get to it?
A: If we find your meter is inaccessible, we will leave a door hanger on your door notifying you to call us to schedule a convenient time to replace your meter.
Q: Are you sure you’ll be able to replace my meter?
A: In most cases, there shouldn’t be any problem replacing your meter. But in some isolated cases, some repairs may need to be made before the meter is installed. If we find that to be the case, the cost of repairs will be your responsibility, and you will need to secure the services of a licensed electrician.
Q: Who is going to come to my house to replace my meter?
A: GreyStone has secured the services of Lynn-Edward Power Service to handle the installations. They are a very professional company that will replace your meter with a minimum of inconvenience to you. Their logo can be seen on our web site or in our newsletter coming out this month. Watch for it on their trucks.
Q: What company is providing the new meters?
A: GreyStone has selected Hunt Technologies to provide an advanced metering system that combines wireless and power line carrier technologies which will enable two-way communications with the 108,000 meters on our network. We felt the geography and population patterns in our service territory required a combination of technologies to effectively provide coverage for all of our members. Hunt provided these options and the integration into one software platform, allowing us to get the solution we need from a single provider.
Q: Why are we doing this now?
A: We are always looking for ways to serve you better, and have been researching automated meter reading for several years. In part this is being done to meet requirements of the National Energy Policy Act. We feel this will reduce costs over the long run as well as increase the reliability of your electric service through enhanced outage management and service restoration.
Q: I want to talk to someone about this. Who should I call?
A: You may call our office at 770-942-6576 or email us at memberservices@greystonepower.com.