Hear what your
neighbors are asking.
We want to keep the lines of communication open with our customers. We're here to answer your questions and keep you informed and updated. Here are some of the most frequent questions customers have asked about CVPS SmartPower®. We'll continue to add to this list as our conversation with you, our customers, continues. We look forward to hearing from you.
- What is CVPS SmartPower®?
- How does a “smart grid” work?
- How are the new meters different from the old ones, and how will the change affect me?
- Can I opt out from CVPS SmartPower®?
- Does the new system mean you can shut off my appliances or control my energy usage without my permission?
- How much will it cost? Who pays for it?
- What will the new rates offer?
- How will CVPS protect my privacy?
- Will I have to interact with CVPS SmartPower®?
- How else will CVPS SmartPower® help me make better choices?
- Will I have to make any changes in my home?
- Will I save money on my energy bills?
- What kind of environmental benefits are there?
- Since this is a new technology, how do we know the new meters will be accurate?
- Will the smart meter interfere with my wireless Internet service, or my cell phone service?
- Will CVPS install the new meters?
- Smart meters use radio frequencies to communicate. Have there been any studies done on the safety of this?
- I can't find the answer to my question here. Who do I contact?
1. What is CVPS SmartPower®?
CVPS SmartPower® is CVPS's “smart grid” solution designed to modernize and automate the electric grid, provide automated meter reading, and empower consumers to make better energy choices. The plan includes two-way communications systems and new rate designs such as dynamic pricing and demand response programs. It focuses on improvements to the reliability of the grid, quicker storm recovery, and better incorporation of small renewable generators into the system.
2. How does a “smart grid” work?
CVPS SmartPower® will move electricity from generation sources to our customers with digital technology and two-way communications between customers' meters and CVPS. A smart grid that is combined with the electricity distribution system allows us to have a better overview of the energy needs on the grid.
3. How are the new meters different from the old ones, and how will the change affect me?
CVPS SmartPower® meters will measure consumption with digital technology that we can read remotely. Therefore, CVPS will no longer have to drive every mile of road in our service territory each month to read meters, a change that saves fuel and reduces air emissions. The new meters will also be capable of communicating with, and signaling, appliances and devices you choose to place in your home. You will be able to view your hourly energy consumption whenever you choose through a secure online CVPS web portal. This will allow you to closely monitor your energy use, and if you so choose, to make changes in response. Your new meter will also allow instant meter reads. This will tell us immediately if your power goes out and will help us operate the grid in a safe and reliable way, particularly when energy demands are high.
4. Can I opt out from CVPS SmartPower®?
Yes. We recognize that there may be some customers who would prefer not to have an advanced digital meter installed at their home. Customers have the right to opt out of the CVPS SmartPower® program. Customers who choose to opt out must contact CVPS’ Customer Information Center at 800-649-2877, and will also be required to pay a monthly fee of $10 per meter, starting in April of 2013, to cover the cost of meter reading and additional equipment expenses.
5. Does the new system mean you can shut off my appliances or control my energy usage without my permission?
No. Except in normal cases of disconnection for nonpayment, we will never control your energy use without your permission.
6. How much will it cost? Who pays for it?
Our current CVPS SmartPower® plan, approved by the Vermont Public Service Board, calls for an initial investment of more than $60 million, with approximately half of that coming from a federal grant. We are also borrowing funds to help pay for implementation, which we will recover in rates. However, the program will reduce our costs for meter readers, vehicles, fuel and related expenses, so the net cost to customers will be minimal. Your monthly bill will continue to reflect normal fluctuations in your energy use, which can be affected by weather, the season, the number of people in your home and other factors. The cost of implementing CVPS SmartPower® is not expected to have much, if any, discernible effect on our rates. Overall, the program is expected to provide economic benefits to all parties by helping us better manage our systems, improve operations and control peak-time power purchases.
7. What will the new rates look like?
We will likely offer new rate choices over time that will allow you to make better energy choices. For example, new Time-of-Use rates and real-time pricing options may be available. A Time-of-Use pricing program offers electricity at different prices based on energy demands. If the price is low, you might choose to do tasks that require a lot of energy, like washing clothes, at that time. If the price is high, you might decide to wait to do the laundry until prices are lower.
8. How will CVPS protect my privacy?
Protecting your information always has been, and always will be, a top priority. We treat your account and personal information as if it were our own, the same today, as we will in the future. Existing internal and regulatory controls will remain in place and be enhanced to protect your privacy.
9. Will I have to interact with CVPS SmartPower®?
No, you certainly don't have to, but we hope that you find it easy and beneficial to do so. How you choose to utilize the information provided by CVPS SmartPower® will be up to you. Our goal is to make your access easy and convenient so that you will take advantage of the new efficiencies that you find most beneficial.
10. How else will CVPS SmartPower® help me make better choices?
Once a new smart meter is installed at your home, you will have secure access to a web page that will provide your hourly energy usage. This will provide you with data in multiple formats and time frames in a way that can help you find meaningful trends in your energy use and opportunities for change. You will also be able to compare new and existing rate options to see what would provide the best deal based on actual consumption patterns, as well as targeted efficiency tips and offers from Efficiency Vermont. Customers without internet access can call into our Customer Information Center for access to the same data.
11. Will I have to make any changes in my home?
No. The meter will change and more information about your energy use will be available to you, but you will not need to make changes to your home. However, over time you may decide to purchase new appliances or other devices that would help you save money. If you are a Rate 11 or 13 customer with hard wired control, your control functionality may change and you are eligible for a rebate to upgrade your existing equipment. Click HERE for more information.
12. Will I save money on my energy bills?
It depends. CVPS SmartPower® will create the opportunity for you to get more for your energy dollar, but whether you save money will depend on your rate choice and on how you decide to use electricity. The new meters will make it possible for each customer to determine what rate best suits their lifestyle. Customers using time-of-use rates may choose to use less power when prices are high and more power when they are low. Enabled with this useful, convenient, automated information, you will be in better control of the way you use energy and what you pay for it.
13. What kind of environmental benefits are there?
CVPS SmartPower® is expected to help us control peak energy purchases. Not only do these purchases cost more than non-peak purchases, but peak loads typically require the operation of the region's dirtiest generation sources to meet the demand. Additionally, CVPS SmartPower® will help us more easily connect new renewable energy projects, including smaller projects, while maintaining a safe and reliable grid. Finally, CVPS meter readers now drive thousands of miles every week, burning tens of thousands of gallons of fuel each year. CVPS SmartPower® will virtually eliminate that fuel consumption and the greenhouse gases it produces.
14. Since this is a new technology, how do we know the new meters will be accurate?
Meter accuracy is critical to us and our customers. Normal testing shows that analog and digital meters are both more than 99.5 percent accurate. We test meters for accuracy regularly and every smart meter will be tested by the manufacturer before installation. CVPS will also test a sample of each meter shipment.
15. Will the smart meter interfere with my wireless Internet service, or my cell phone service?
Our smart meters should not affect home wireless networks, which are designed to work in the presence of other communications tools without interference. Cell service operates on a different range of frequencies than our smart meters, so it will be unaffected as well.
16. Will CVPS install the new meters?
The new meters will be installed by contractors working directly for and supervised by CVPS employees. They will use vehicles and wear uniforms that identify them as CVPS contractors.
17. Smart meters use radio frequencies to communicate. Have there been any studies done on the safety of this?
Yes. There have been numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies on radio frequency signals to determine if there are any health concerns. In the case of the smart grid, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates radio frequency signals, which are used in everything from garage door openers and baby monitors to smart meters. The FCC and World Health Organization have judged smart meters to be completely safe for our customers and employees. The Vermont Department of Health concluded in February 2012 that the current regulatory standards for radio frequency radiation (RFR) from smart meters are sufficient to protect public health.
18. I can't find answers to my question here. Who do I contact?
If you can't find the answer to your question here, contact us. We will respond to your question as soon as possible.