AMI FAQs

Radio frequency (RF) emitted by advanced meters is well below the limits set by the Federal Communications Commission and it is below levels produced by other common household devices like cell phones, baby monitors, satellite TVs, and microwaves. You would have to be exposed to the RF from a smart meter for 375 years to get a dose equivalent to that of one year of 15-minutes-per-day cell phone use.

Read more about safety and advanced meters here.

No, in compliance with SVEC’s “Terms & Condition for Providing Electric Distribution Service,” members do not have the option to decline the advanced meter.

Yes, while the new meters provide technology that can automatically alert SVEC to a service interruption, you should continue to officially report outages through the MySVEC app, online Outage Center or by calling 1-800-234-7832.

The meter upgrade is a capital project that SVEC has accounted for in developing its rates. There will be no new portion on members’ bills that show costs associated with this, or any other specific project. As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SVEC only seeks revenues that cover expenses through the monthly billing of members; any excess at the end of the year is returned to members through the equity allocation process.

The current system has limited capabilities because of low bandwidth and speed. The new system can simply do more, such as record load and power quality data in real-time.

SVEC reached full deployment of current meters in 2012, following an acquisition that brought in an expanded service territory. For existing members at the time of the acquisition, meters are about 20 years old and nearing the end of their useful life.

There is no noticeable change for net-metered meters. Delivered and received kWh per day will be available as well as hourly kWh values.

SVEC and Wesco's progress with the project will be based on the availability of supplies. Work began in 2023 in Rockingham County. Members will receive a postcard at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled work at their location.

You do not need to be home when our contractor visits. Contractors can be identified by the “SVEC Contractor” magnet on their work vehicle. They will also have an SVEC ID badge.

Your meter upgrade will require only a momentary service interruption. The work should take about 10-15 minutes.