OUC Upgrading to Digital Meters
OUC is upgrading our entire service area to digital electric and water meters. Over the next several years, OUC will replace the old analog devices in each household based on our regular meter-reading schedule. By the end of 2013, the switch to all digital electric meters will be complete. The water meter conversion is expected to be complete over the next two years.
The Power to Manage Your Utility Costs
These new meters will provide customers with the two key benefits:
- An easier-to-read monitor
- Access to more detailed information about your daily water and energy use
In addition,OUC will have access to immediate, accurate information that allows us to better predict and prevent outages and restore power faster.
Convenient Ways to Pay
The upgrade lays the foundation for future OUC programs, such as pre-pay metering and consumption alerts. With these tools, you’ll have more convenient ways to monitor your usage, pay your bill and mange your account — anywhere, anytime, from any device.
We’re Heading to You!
Our crews are already hard at work making the switch. Installation is fast and simple … and comes at no additional charge. We’ll notify you before beginning work in your area. Look for this postcard in the mail.
Watch a Short Video
| Electric Meter 
| Water Meter |
Read Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ's - Frequently asked questions about OUC's new digital meters
Opt Out Requests
Customers who want to opt out of the transition to digital meters can request to be moved to the end of the replacement list. When OUC has reached the end of its order for the switch, customers who still prefer manual readings can choose to pay a monthly service fee. This service will be provided as long as the analog meter technology is available. If you wish to opt out of receiving a digital electric meter, please contact OUC Customer Service at customerservice@ouc.com (be sure to include your name and account number or service address) or by calling 407-423-9018.
More About Digital Meters
OUC has about 78,000 Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters, sometimes called smart meters, in our service territory. They enable OUC to read the meters remotely, so they were first installed at apartment complexes and in places where access is difficult. Having the ability to read the meters remotely drives down costs while ensuring an accurate and timely reading for the customer. Some people have asked about the potential health effects from exposure to the radio frequency emitted by smart meters.
The digital meters that OUC installs meet all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines and safety standards. OUC utilizes a low power “mesh network” where the meters act as repeaters passing the data to other nearby meters until it makes it to a main collector.
Smart meters transmit relatively low radio signals similar to those used by baby monitors and laptop computers with wireless internet connections. In addition, they are located outside of the customer's house or apartment complex, so the walls serve as a barrier.
For additional information and research on smart meters, please visit the links below:
California Council on Science and Technology:
Edison Electric Institute:
Electric Research Power Institute:
OUC New Meter Initiative
Customer FAQs
What is a digital meter?
Digital meters, sometimes called “smart meters” or “advanced meters,” are devices that automatically record electric and water use, then electronically report that information to the utility company at regular intervals.
These meters provide secure data that can show peak usage and isolate outages. The new meters allow OUC to better gauge consumption, while providing customers with precise, easily accessible information.
What is the difference between the old and new meters?
The old-style analog meters mechanically measured and reported energy and water use, which was recorded by an OUC meter reader who physically visited each customer on a regular basis. The new meters will provide daily data — delivered electronically without the need for an on-site visit — that can help the utility better serve customers and customers better manage their electric and water consumption.
Who will receive the digital meters?
All 228,000 customers in our service territory will receive the new digital meters. OUC began the replacement initiative on a limited basis in 2007 and has already installed digital electric meters for nearly one third of customers. Over the next two years, the utility will make this useful technology available to all customers.
What are the benefits to me?
The digital readout makes reading your meter and understanding your consumption much simpler and faster. Once all digital electric meters are installed, OUC will be able to deliver daily data through a secured OUC web portal that allows you to monitor, manage and ultimately reduce your energy and water use.
The digital meters also lay the foundation for providing you with more options and services, such as pre-paid metering, which will help you manage utility costs. Since the new meters won’t have to be read manually, OUC will have the advantage of immediate, accurate information that allows us to continue to provide the highest level of reliability.
Are the meters safe?
The digital meters that OUC installs meet all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines and safety standards. OUC utilizes a low power “mesh network” where the meters act as repeaters passing the data to other nearby meters until it makes it to a main collector. The meters emit only a ¼-watt signal for just 1.5 seconds every four hours, which is significantly less than the radio frequency emitted by cell phones. Digital meters send information about electricity use to utilities by RF signals. The exposure from digital or smart meters is much lower than other common sources for two reasons (see image below): 1) infrequent signal transmission, and 2) distance from the source.
For more information and research on smart meters, please visit the links below:
California Council on Science and Technology:
Edison Electric Institute:
Electric Research Power Institute:
How and when will I receive my new meters?
Over the next 12 months, an OUC contractor will visit each electric customer premise based on our regular meter-reading schedule to replace the old analog devices.
By the end of 2013, the switch to digital meters for electric service will be complete. The digital water meters will be connected over the next two years.
How long does the installation take? Will my power or water service be disrupted?
In most cases, installing digital electric meters takes about five minutes and causes a brief power disruption. Digital water meters take about 15 minutes to install, and water is not available during this time. The upgrades will take place during regular business hours and do not require your presence. OUC will notify you in advance of changing out your meter.
Who’s paying for the new meters and technology?
OUC anticipates that the benefits of the implementation and transition to digital meters will outweigh the costs. Over time, OUC expects to recoup its $58.9 million investment in the technology upgrade through reduced labor and operational costs. This project was included in OUC’s financial planning, and no electric rate changes are anticipated.
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What are the environmental benefits of the meters?
Digital meters offer many earth-friendly advantages, including reduced emissions from OUC vehicles that will no longer make regular visits to customers for meter reading. Also, OUC anticipates a decrease in energy use as a result of customers’ enhanced understanding of their consumption
Will my new meter make my bills higher?
No. In fact, customers will be able to use information provided by the meters to lower their electric and water bills. The meters report useful data that showcases consumption and its related cost. (This information will not be available until after all meters are installed. See “What are the benefits to me?” above.)
Will my new meter look different than the old one?
Yes. The old “spinning” meters measured and showed energy use through a series of mechanical dials. The new meters will offer a precise digital display.
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Can I choose not to have a new meter installed?
Customers who want to opt out of the transition to digital meters can request to be moved to the end of the replacement list. When OUC has reached the end of its order for the switch, customers who still prefer manual readings can choose to pay a monthly service fee. This service will be provided as long as the analog meter technology is available. If you wish to opt out of receiving a digital electric meter, please contact OUC Customer Service at customerservice@ouc.com (be sure to include your name and account number or service address) or by calling 407-423-9018.
Will OUC have any more control over how and when I use my energy?
No. The digital meters will simply enhance the measurement of electric and water consumption, providing quick, useful information for the utility and customers. OUC will not use the meters to regulate energy and water use.
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Who will have access to my energy usage information?
The new digital meters will transfer energy and water consumption information to OUC through a secure wireless network. Only the authorized personnel who handle meter and billing data will have access to this information.
I have medical or special needs. What will happen to the meter in my situation?
The replacement of old meters with the new digital model will not interrupt customers’ service for more than a brief five-minute period. There will be no effect on your medical or special needs situation as a result of the transition to digital meters.
The replacement of old meters with the new digital model will not interrupt customers’ service for more than a brief five-minute period. There will be no effect on your medical or special needs situation as a result of the transition to digital meters.
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Please note, OUC is upgrading our entire service area to digital electric and water meters [shown at right]. Over the next several years, OUC will replace the old analog devices in each household based on our regular meter-reading schedule. By the end of 2013, the switch to all digital electric meters will be complete. The water meter conversion is expected to be complete over the next two years. For more information, please visit the digital meter page.
How To Read An Analog Electric Meter
To monitor your electric usage, you should know how to read your meter accurately. Taking periodic readings will help you control your usage, let you see when your personal "peak" usage may be, and what appliances may use more or less electricity than you think.
Once you locate your electric meter (typically on the side of your house or apartment), you will probably notice that some hands turn right and some turn left, as in the example below:
The meter above would give a fairly easy reading in kilowatt hours (KWH). When determining what each digit reads, simply write down the smaller of the two numbers each hand falls between. For example, the hand on the first dial falls between 7 and 8. So you would write down 7 for the first dial. Using this system, the meter reading above would be:
In some cases, the hands may be too close to one number to tell whether the hand actually falls slightly above or slightly below the number. For example, take a look at the pair of dials below. It may not be immediately obvious whether the dial on the left should be read as a 6 or a 7.
Just look at the dial to the right of the dial in question. If the dial on the right has passed 0, then the dial on the left should be read as the higher number. In this case, the dial on the right has passed 0, so the left dial should be read as a 7.
Likewise, if the dial on the right has not yet reached 0, then the left dial should be read as the lower number. So in the example below, the two dials would read 6 and 9.
Now that you have the basics down, try a harder example. If you're not sure how to read one of the dials, just use the guidelines above:
So what do you think? If you read the meter above correctly, you came up with:
You can now use these numbers to calculate your utilities costs. Let's say that the two full meter readings above were your home's readings on the first day of last month (the first example of 73,256 KWH) and the first day of this month (the second example of 73,988 KWH). You home's usage in KWH for the past month is this month's reading minus last month's. Multiply this by your electric rate to find your approximate electric costs for the month.
Now that you know how to accurately read your electric meter, try keeping track of how your monthly use fluctuates and changes. Read the meter once a week (or at least once a month) at the same time each day. Keep track of the KWH use and compare it to your previous consumption history to determine how it fluctuates depending upon what you do. Find more information on approximately how much energy (in cents) appliances around your house use. If you have questions about reading your meter, call the OUCustomer Connection at 407.423.9018.