Meters Stop Working: New Brunswick's Parking Secrets

Smart meters in New Brunswick are set to modernise the power grid and provide customers with better service. The province-wide rollout of smart meters for homes and businesses began on November 1, 2023, with NB Power aiming to complete the upgrade in approximately two years. Smart meters give a live summary of energy usage and its cost, allowing users to manage their energy use and make informed decisions. However, the upcoming switch-off of 2G and 3G mobile networks may cause issues for smart meters that rely on these networks to function, as highlighted by the case in the UK.

NB Power's province-wide smart meter rollout began on November 1, 2023

On November 1, 2023, NB Power began rolling out smart meters for homes and businesses across New Brunswick. The province-wide rollout is expected to be completed within 24 months.

The upgrade will be divided into three installation areas. The first installations began in the western half of the province (Area 1) and include the following communities:

• Fredericton Junction
• Mazerolle Settlement
• Saint-François-de-Madawaska
• St. Mary's First Nation

Before installation begins in your area, you will receive a letter or an email a few weeks in advance, along with a brochure explaining the benefits of smart meters. You will also receive a reminder call before the installers arrive.

On the day of installation, an installer will knock on your door to let you know they are on-site and ready to replace your meter. The installer will drive an NB Power vehicle and carry a visible NB Power ID card for verification.

You do not need to be home during the installation, but your power will be turned off for a few minutes. If this time is inconvenient, the installer will return later in the day. After the smart meter is installed, you will receive a notice on your door confirming the upgrade.

Smart meters will enable you to access detailed energy information online, helping you make informed decisions about your energy usage. They will also allow for faster power restoration, as they can send notices to NB Power when the power is out. Additionally, smart meters will reduce the need for home visits and lower carbon emissions.

Smart meters enable faster power restoration after outages

Smart meters are one of the ways NB Power is modernizing the power grid to provide improved service in the future. The meters allow for two-way communication over a secure network, giving users access to detailed energy information to see and manage their energy use.

Additionally, smart meters provide power status information automatically, including "power fail" and "power restoration" indications. This helps eliminate unnecessary trips to customers' residences and enables problems to be addressed more quickly. Smart meters can also verify power restoration, providing positive confirmation that all customers have had their power restored. This reduces costs, increases customer satisfaction, and further decreases outage duration.

The benefits of smart meters extend beyond faster power restoration. They also help users understand and manage their energy use and costs by providing accurate, real-time information about electricity usage. This includes tracking solar and mains electricity usage, allowing users to adjust their usage patterns accordingly. Furthermore, smart meters enable remote connection and disconnection of power, reducing fees associated with moving house.

In summary, smart meters offer numerous advantages, including faster power restoration after outages, improved energy management, and reduced costs for both utilities and customers.

They provide online access to detailed energy information

Smart meters are being installed across New Brunswick as part of NB Power's grid modernization. These meters will provide two-way communication over a secure network, allowing users to access detailed energy information and make informed decisions about their energy usage.

The rollout of smart meters will be divided into three installation areas, with installations already taking place in communities such as Fredericton Junction, Mazerolle Settlement, Saint-François-de-Madawaska, and St. Mary’s First Nation. The installations began on November 1, 2023, in the western half of the province (Area 1) and are expected to be completed within a 24-month period.

With smart meters, users will be able to access their detailed energy information online. This will include data on their energy usage, allowing them to track and manage their energy consumption. Users will also be able to set up alerts for high usage, helping them stay within their budget. The online access to detailed energy information will empower users to make informed decisions about their energy usage and potentially reduce their energy costs.

In addition to providing detailed energy information, smart meters offer several other benefits. They enable remote connection and reconnection of service, resulting in quicker and more convenient service for users. Smart meters also facilitate faster power restoration by automatically sending notices to NB Power when there is an outage. This allows the company to start the restoration process immediately. With smart meters, NB Power can also work more efficiently, reducing the need for home visits and lowering carbon emissions.

Smart meters allow for remote connection and reconnection of service

Smart meters are one of the ways NB Power is modernizing the power grid to provide you with the best possible service in the future. They allow for two-way communication over a secure network, giving you the information you need to see and manage your energy use.

Smart meters enable NB Power to remotely connect and reconnect service to your home, providing quicker service at a time that is convenient for you. This also means fewer visits and lower carbon emissions.

Smart meters can also send notices to NB Power when the power is out, allowing for faster power restoration.

While smart meters offer many benefits, there are some concerns about their safety. Some sources claim that the remote disconnect feature in smart meters can increase the risk of fires. This is because the remote disconnect switch is located inside the meter, which is usually made of plastic and can melt and burn. In addition, the switch contacts can generate heat and make poor contact, potentially leading to meter failures and resulting in fires.

However, energy suppliers are required to take several steps before remotely disconnecting a customer's service. They must discuss options for repaying debt and visit the customer's home to assess their personal situation. There are also certain vulnerable groups who cannot be disconnected, such as elderly people living alone in winter.

Overall, smart meters offer many advantages, including remote connection and reconnection of service, but it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and take appropriate measures to ensure safe usage.

The upgrade will be completed within a 24-month period

The upgrade to smart meters in New Brunswick will be completed within a 24-month period. The province-wide installations began on November 1, 2023, and will be divided into three installation areas. The smart meters will provide two-way communication over a secure network, allowing users to see and manage their energy use.

The communities that will receive smart meters include Fredericton Junction, Mazerolle Settlement, Saint-François-de-Madawaska, and St. Mary's First Nation. Smart meters offer several benefits, including faster power restoration and high usage alerts. With smart meters, NB Power can remotely connect and reconnect service, reducing the need for visits and lowering carbon emissions.

The upgrade to smart meters is part of NB Power's efforts to modernize the power grid and provide better service to its customers. The 24-month installation period will ensure that residents of New Brunswick can take advantage of the benefits of smart meters, improving their energy management and overall experience.

The smart meters physically resemble the current meters, but the new technology will provide users with detailed energy information to help them make informed decisions about their usage. This technology will also enable NB Power to be notified when there is a power outage, allowing them to start the restoration process as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions