8/8/2019 Pepco Smart Meters FAQs
1/2
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Smart Meters?
A smart meter is an electronic meter that can communicate two
ways from your
home to Pepco and from Pepco to your home. These meters use
advancedtechnology to help Pepco better track and report back to
you your energy usage.
The meters bring with them a number of benefits including more
accurate billing,enhancements to Pepcos online billing feature My
Account, remote on/offactivation of power, and an improved ability
for our customer service specialiststo respond more quickly and
thoroughly to your needs.
Why Am I Getting One?
Pepco is working with the District of Columbia Public Service
Commission to help
meet energy-efficiency guidelines, and smart meters are a
critical part of thateffort.
Equally important, Pepco is making a proactive effort, through
its deployment ofsmart meters, to help customers make better
informed decisions about theirenergy usage.
Smart meters are designed to offer utilities and their customers
a number of keybenefits. These include better insight into customer
usage and billing, as well asincreased reliability and improved
customer service.
When Will I Get My Smart Meter?
Businesses and residents will start receiving new smart meters
during the courseof this year. The goal is to have all smart meters
installed in the District ofColumbia by the end of 2011.
Will I Receive Any Notice Before the Meter Exchange?
A letter, along with a fact sheet, will be mailed to every
customer approximatelyone to four weeks before the planned meter
exchange.
What Do I Have to Do?
The good news is that there is very little you have to do during
this process. Weencourage you to make sure your meter is easily
accessible from the outside.When the time gets closer for you to
get your meter, you will receive moreinformation, including a
letter and a fact sheet on how to prepare for the
meterexchange.
8/8/2019 Pepco Smart Meters FAQs
2/2
Lastly, visit www.pepco.com and register for My Account, if you
have notalready. This is the fastest and easiest way to stay up to
speed on Pepcos smartmeter program.
Will I Lose Power During the Meter Exchange?
The meter exchange may result in a brief interruption of
electric service and youmay need to reset your clocks and other
electronic equipment after theexchange.
What Types of Costs Will I Incur?
Pepco is making the initial investment in smart meters for its
customers. As ofnow, there are no additional costs associated with
you receiving your smartmeter. Pepco has received $34.1 million in
federal stimulus grants to help fundPepcos smart meter program in
the District of Columbia. These funds will help to
offset the cost of this project to customers.
However, it may be determined at a later rate case that some
costs will bepassed on to customers. It is our goal at Pepco for
our customers to reap long-term benefits and advantages from these
new smart meters that will outweighany costs associated with the
installation.
How Will I Benefit From a New Smart Meter?
Pepco sees a number of short- and long-term benefits for
customers.
In the near term, smart meters will:
Provide customers with enhanced energy information through the
onlineMy Account service, enabling them to better manage their
energy use andcosts.
Significantly reduce the number of estimated bills through
wirelesscommunications.
Provide more energy use information to our Customer Care
employees,so they can better help customers manage their energy
use.
In the longer term, smart meters will:
Help improve customer reliability and outage management. Enable
special pricing options for customers to save energy and money.
Make it easier to integrate renewable energy, such as wind power,
and
plug-in vehicles into the electric system.
