The new enhanced meters are solid state electric meters that collect and transmit metering information back to our office. The information is collected by the meter, saved in packets and sent via radio frequency back to our office a few times per day. The radio frequency is similar to other technologies that you are familiar with such as baby monitors and garage door openers.

As a member-owned cooperative, YEC aims to keep our promise of providing safe, reliable and affordable energy, even as the world around us continues to change. Enhancing our meters provides members access to new tools and more detailed information to help save energy and money.

Enhanced meters are digital electronic meters capable of two-way communications. Having two-way communications enables YEC to offer a number of key benefits, including more detailed bill information and the ability to respond to outages more quickly and effectively— so we can ensure that we are doing our best to meet our members’ needs.

• Enhanced meters tell YEC how much energy you use, when your power goes out and when it comes back on, when voltage is too high and when voltage is too low.
• Enhanced meters reduce the time it takes to read meters from hours to minutes. Automated capabilities prevent unnecessary trips, lower travel time, save gas, reduce emissions and provide an immediate response.
• YEC will save on operational costs for labor and transportation. These savings are passed on to you, our members.
• Enhanced meters report power problems and outages when they occur, providing YEC with the data needed to enhance member service.
• Enhanced meters employ several techniques to enforce security, including data encryption. An encryption key is required to unlock the data that is transmitted.

Your privacy is important to us. In addition to our cybersecurity practices we keep in place to protect member data, our privacy policy prevents customer data from being sold to third parties.

You have control. Enhanced meters measure the energy use of the whole house, just like the meters we currently use. They cannot measure the energy use of individual appliances in your house, and YEC’s enhanced meters cannot be used to control your appliances.

Your information is secure. Enhanced meters employ several techniques to enforce security, including data encryption. An encryption key is required to unlock the data that is transmitted.

• Enhanced meters use radio waves.
  • YEC’s enhanced meters transmit data using radio waves, and the transmission operates very briefly at a very low wattage.
• Enhanced meters briefly signal.
  • YEC’s enhanced meters use radio waves to communicate with a brief pulse—less than five seconds per day.
• Enhanced meters have low input.
  • To transmit data, enhanced meters use an extremely low wattage, much less than a cell phone, cordless phone or baby monitor.
• Enhanced meters direct away.
  • When an enhanced meter transmits data, the output is directed away from your house, and as the distance increases, the signal strength decreases.

Members will be able to review their daily energy use online through YEC’s member portal. Using this data, members can learn how to adjust their habits to save energy and save money.

Members do not need to request a new meter. YEC will be working with contractors to install enhanced meters in phases across our service territory. You will be notified directly when it is almost time for your installation.

Once you are notified, please make sure to provide access to the electric meter at your house by clearing any obstructions, like bushes, furniture or gates that need to be unlocked. On the day of the installation, the installer will knock on your door to let you know about the meter exchange, and your power will be off for about 5 minutes. Please allow the installer to have safe access by keeping pets away from YEC’s electric meter.