Electric Meter Replacement Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are we switching to smart meters?
Cuyahoga Falls has had smart meters since 2008, but they simply need upgraded. They will more than likely need replaced again in 15-20 years. The City is partnering with Utility Metering Solutions (UMS) to replace all water and electric meters over the next few years. This is known as the NextGen Meter Project.
Is this a new technology for meters to wirelessly transmit usage?
The technology has been around for years; in fact, all of the following cities currently have AMR (Automated Meter Reading) meters: Akron, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, Green, Hudson, Kent, Macedonia, Northfield, Norton, Peninsula, Ravenna, Silver Lake, Stow, Tallmadge, Twinsburg and Wadsworth. Ohio Edison alone has 710,000 smart meters being used in Ohio. The practice of a person manually walking through yards to read meters is a thing of the past.
Will having my meter(s) replaced cost me anything?
There will be no additional customer charges.
Who will install the new meters?
The City has contracted with Utility Metering Solutions (UMS), to install these meters. As a trusted service provider, UMS is confident that they will successfully design and execute the NextGen Meter project based on its track record of successfully executing similar programs for other forward-thinking cities since 2009.
Electric Meter Replace - What You Can Expect
How will the electric meter replacement process work?
You should start seeing UMS personnel working in your neighborhoods beginning in early 2025. The entire project will take approximately twenty-four (24) months to complete. Work will be performed during normal work hours of 8:00AM - 4:00PM (EST). However, for inside installations, some limited evening and Saturday hours will be available upon request. Appointment notifications will be distributed to customers at least two weeks prior to inside installations.
If your service was "OFF" at the meter before installation, we changed your meter, and your service will be left "OFF." If your service was "ON" at the meter before installation, your service will be restored after the new meter was installed.
Do I need to schedule an appointment?
No, you do not need to schedule an appointment to have your electric meter replaced. Because most electric meters are located outside your home, you will not be required to be present during the installation unless you have a locked gate or fence. Electric Meters will be changed out over a few years, expected to begin in Q1 2025 area by area, and you'll be notified of the short outage period when the meter will be replaced. UMS personnel will carry identification. Door hangers will be left to notify you when the power meter installation is complete. If your meter is behind a locked gate, you will need to be home or leave free access to your meter.
How will I know that installers are authorized UMS employees?
All UMS installers will have an ID badge indicating their name and their employment with UMS and will be wearing bright yellow t-shirts/jackets/vests with "UTILITY METERING SOLUTIONS" or "UMS" on the back. Installers will travel in vehicles that have a large "UMS" logo magnet on the side.
What happens during an outside electric meter installation?
If your electric meter is located outside, you don't have to do anything to have your new meter installed. You are not required to be home during the replacement. Expect an installer to knock on the door to notify anyone who happens to be at home that their electricity will be turned off for about an hour, causing minimal disruption. For the safety of the personnel installing the meters, please do the following:
- Keep pets indoors and away from the installers during the time frame your meter is scheduled to be replaced.
- Please ensure the path to the meter and the area around the meter is clear.
- If you have a locked fence or gate, please allow access to the installer to complete the installation.
There may be a short interruption in electric service when the meters are exchanged so we recommend that you unplug sensitive electronic equipment or use a surge protector to prevent the possibility of damage to your equipment or appliances. A door hanger will be placed on the front doorknob following installation to notify customers that the meter replacement was completed successfully.
Will meter installation affect my electric use?
The entire installation process will only take about 1 hour. During that time, customers can expect their electricity to be turned off for 15 minutes to 1 hour.
Can I opt out?
No. This process is mandatory. Existing meter equipment has become outdated, and these meters are coming to the end of their useful life. To ensure continued accurate meter readings, these meters must be replaced.
I am a local business. What should I expect from this project?
Local businesses will be contacted directly to schedule their meter replacements to ensure minimal disruption.
Will the new meter technology affect my health or privacy?
The technology in the new ACLARA I-210+ Smart Grid Meters and kV2C Gen5 meters use radio signals and new BADGER E-Series meters cellular technology to transmit meter data - neither will negatively affect your health or privacy. The microwatts these meters emit are a fraction of the amount emitted by the cell phones, laptops, or Wi-Fi which most households have. Total transmission time is typically less than 5 seconds per day. In fact, overall health will be improved, and privacy enhanced by replacing vehicles and manual meter reading visits to homes and businesses with environmentally clean radio and cellular communication.
Notifications to Utility Customers
May 2024 - A city newsletter announcing the meter project was mailed to all residents and businesses.
June 2024 – A letter with a project overview was mailed to all utility customers.
June 2024 – The project announcement and a link to FAQs posted on the City's social media accounts.
July 2024 – The first round of scheduling letters were mailed to utility customers about scheduling their water meter replacement appointment.
Ongoing - Throughout the meter replacement project, water customers will receive a letter approximately one week before they are able to schedule their water meter replacement.
February 2025- A message was included in all utility bills regarding the start of the electric meter phase.
March 2025 - A city newsletter announcing the start of the electric meter phase was mailed to all residents and businesses.
Ongoing – Before replacing an electric meter, UMS employees will knock on the customer's door to notify them of the meter replacement (most electric meters are outside). If there is no answer, UMS will leave a note on the customer's door that the electric meter was replaced.