Within the next few weeks you might have a Lubbock Power and Light employee knocking on your door to install advanced meters. The spokesman with LP&L, Matt Rose, said they’ll begin installations as early as April. The project has been in the works for several years and 107,000 meters will be updated within the next year.
“It gives you the ability to have more information at your disposal,” said Rose, “So that you can take power on your side of the meter and it’s the same technology that folks in Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio all across the state get.”
The fully-funded project expected to be done in 12 months.
“Over this past summer we have deployed all of the communication’s infrastructure necessary for advanced meters to operate across our service territory. So all of those collectors that collect the information from the meters is in place today,” said Rose.
He said after they made sure the technology was working correctly, they’re ready to replace the meters with newer, better meters.
“At the same time the City of Lubbock Water Department has made the decision to also roll out advanced meters for their water meters,” said Rose.
The electric and water meters will be switched out simultaneously by a city employee.
“They will knock on their front door to notify the customer of who they are and will show them credentials,” said Rose, “If you’re not home, they’re going to proceed with switching out those meters and they’ll leave a door tag that this work has been performed.”
During the switch, you’ll lose electricity, but not for long.
“If the installers come across a situation where it looks like theres going to have to be more work in order to switch that out, then the customer will be notified and we’ll work with the customer,” said Rose.
Some benefits Rose said advanced meters will bring are:
- Improves billing accuracy
- Improves customer service
- Empowers customers
- Improves outage management
- Enhances responsibility.
You can read more about them on LP&L’s website here.
Customers will be getting a notice soon with their bill explaining smart meters. Rose said if someone knocks on your door and you’re not sure they’re a certified employee, make sure to verify with LP&L on their website or call them at 775-2509.
