Meter Exchange Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions and answers provide more details about our Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) or Smart Meter Project.

1. Why is Idaho Power installing new smart meters?
2. What are smart meters and how do they work?
3. When are the meter exchanges scheduled?
4. Are all Idaho Power customers receiving new meters?
5. Who will do the meter exchange work?
6. Will customers experience an outage during the meter exchange?
7. What does the new meter look like?
8. How will the old meters be disposed?
9. When will Idaho Power begin reading meters remotely?
10. Will Idaho Power ever need access to customers’ property again?
11. What is the cost of installing a smart meter?
12. How is Idaho Power communicating this project to customers?

1. Why is Idaho Power installing new smart meters?

New technology, called Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), or smart meters, enables Idaho Power to remotely read meters resulting in operational efficiency, enhanced customer service, billing and power restoration, environmental benefits, as well as energy use and demand-side management options. All existing customer meters will be exchanged for new smart digital meters from January 2009 to December 2011.

Other benefits of the new advanced meters include:

• The meter is digital, secure and easier to read.
• Energy usage data collected remotely eliminates mis-reads and estimated electricity bills.
• In the near future, meter readers no longer will need access to customers’ property every month.
• Reduced company vehicles and fuel consumption result in environmental benefits and cost savings.
• Power outages may be restored faster with greater meter communication capabilities.

To date, Idaho Power has exchanged 123,000 meters in the Treasure Valley as part of its AMI Smart Meter project. That’s an average of 850 meters a day!

2. What are smart meters and how do they work?

Smart meters are part of Idaho Power’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). AMI is the acronym for this technology which was first introduced in the 1970s. Previously known as ”AMR” for Automated Meter Reading, the AMI system uses power line carrier technology to provide remote meter reads without having to physically visit and manually read the meter.

Energy usage data travels from the smart meter to the substation via existing electrical distribution lines. At the substation, the data then travels through communication lines and is collected in Idaho Power’s existing customer information and billing system.

3. When are the meter exchanges scheduled?

The overall project is scheduled for three years as follows:

• 2009 Ada and Boise counties
• 2010 Canyon County, Payette, eastern Oregon and Mountain Home
• 2011 eastern Idaho region and Magic Valley areas

Idaho Power contractors from TruCheck have been exchanging meters in Ada County since the beginning of 2009. They have finished most of east and central Boise and are currently working in west Boise, Meridian and Eagle. All existing residential, commercial and irrigation meters in Ada and Boise counties are scheduled to be replaced with smart meters by the end of January 2010.

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4. Are all Idaho Power customers receiving new meters?

According to the above schedule, 99 percent of all Oregon and Idaho residential, commercial and irrigation customers will have their existing meters removed and replaced with new smart meters. The remaining one percent of our customers will not receive a new meter because their electric service comes from our smallest distribution substations. Also, industrial customers currently have interval meters.

Customers in Emmett and McCall received their new smart meters during the Phase I project in 2004—their meters will not be replaced again.

Customer response to the meter exchange and the new smart meters has been very positive. Smart meters empower customers to monitor and manage their energy usage. They provide customers with access to detailed energy usage information that enables them to make changes for wise energy use, potentially resulting in lower bills.

5. Who will do the meter exchange work?

Idaho Power meter technicians will complete all self-contained 480-volt, three-phase meter exchanges for large commercial and irrigation customers. A contractor, TruCheck, will complete all residential, small commercial and other meter exchanges by removing existing meters and installing new smart meters.

6. Will customers experience an outage during the meter exchange?

Yes, in most cases they will experience a few-second power interruption. This enables the old meter to be safely removed and replaced with the new smart meter.

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7. What does the new meter look like?

The smart meter’s exterior appearance looks similar to existing meters. The primary difference is customers who currently have mechanical meters with dials will notice no dials, but a new digital display instead. The smart meter is secure and easier to read.

8. How will the old meters be disposed?

All parts and components of the old meters will be properly recycled.

9. When will Idaho Power begin reading meters remotely?

After installation is completed in an area, it will take a few months to begin remotely reading meters. If you don’t see a meter specialist visiting your property it doesn’t mean Idaho Power is estimating your electricity use—we’re reading it remotely through your new smart meter!

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10. Will Idaho Power ever need access to customers’ property again?

Yes, there may be circumstances when company employees need to visit with or stop by customers’ property.

11. What is the cost of installing a smart meter?

The average cost of installing a new smart meter is approximately $130 per meter.
Total project costs over the three-year project are approximately $71 million. There is no direct cost to customers for the new meters or installation.

12. How is Idaho Power communicating this project to customers?

The following methods are currently planned or being implemented:

• Postcards mailed to customers two weeks before their meter exchange is scheduled.
• The Web site page on www.idahopower.com/meterexchange will provide answers to frequently asked questions, a photo of the new smart meter, the project timeline and other information.
• Articles in company newsletters and local newspapers.
• Community Relations Representatives may contact local elected officials in the communities regarding the project.
• A door hanger will be left for customers letting them know their meter was exchanged successfully.
• A door hanger will be left behind at those locations where the installer in unable to exchange the meter and an appointment is necessary.
• After an area has successful meter exchanges, a message will be printed on customer bills.

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