In 2016 the PUD began implementing a core software conversion that brought us SmartHub – a customer portal on the PUD website and mobile app that allows customers to track their energy usage, report outages, and enjoy greater control over their account, including options such as prepaid meter accounts. Advanced meters leverage this technology and will allow customers to take advantage of future benefits as they are introduced. In addition, advanced meters will provide many immediate benefits including:
- Enhanced customer privacy due to significantly reduced need for PUD employees to access customer property
- Consistent billing cycles and no meter estimates (sometimes used when weather or other access issues prevent meter readers from reading meters)
- More accurate bills (old meter technology such as analog electromechanical meters lose accuracy over time)
- Remote disconnect meters offer faster service for connecting and disconnection service
- Enhanced employee safety and reduced accidents
- Energy theft protection
- Enhanced outage assessment and restoration capabilities - even if you are not home, your meter will report an outage at your location, a huge benefit for any time you’re away from home
- Improved electrical distribution system operations, including voltage control and customer power quality investigations. If an issue is reported, PUD employees may be able to diagnose a problem remotely without having to send PUD employees to the site
- Reliability improvements, including a faster diagnosis and response to outage situations
- Reduction in the PUD’s carbon footprint by reducing the need for as many vehicles making trips for meter readings, disconnect/reconnect, and trouble calls.
- A net reduction in utility operating costs of over $300,000 per year – as a public utility such savings will ultimately benefit rate payers