Smart Meters: Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a digital meter that communicates between your residence or business and Con Edison over a secure wireless communication network using the same type of extremely low-frequency radio signals that allow you to use your smart phone, listen to the radio, or watch TV. Your meter transmits data to a system of access points on utility poles, which send your usage information to us.
Think of a smart meter as your tool for more choice, convenience, and control. Smart meters provide detailed information about your energy use so you can make informed choices about how and when you use energy in your home or business.
Traditional meters and automated meters record total energy consumption, which we collect on a monthly basis. Smart meters record and transmit your energy consumption regularly throughout the day (via a secure wireless network) and will help us create a smart grid for the New York City area. Learn more about the smart grid.
Smart meters give you access to detailed information about your daily energy use and customized information to help you conserve energy and save money.
Smart meters alert us immediately about problems in your area, so we can get to work restoring power even faster.
If you use solar energy, your smart meter can help us manage these renewable resources more efficiently.
Yes. Smart meters will alert us about most outages in your neighborhood. But it is important that you continue to tell us about any problems you are having so that we can address them as quickly as possible.
We take cyber security seriously, so all information is transmitted through an encrypted network. Our cybersecurity measures follow standards for smart meters set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and are comparable to those used by financial institutions.
Smart meters do not collect, store, or transmit any personal information. Like a traditional meter, the only information collected is the amount of energy you use, and all your energy usage information is kept confidential by Con Edison and our vendors. Con Edison adheres to all New York State laws that regulate the use of personal information for business functions, such as billing and customer service. Read our privacy policy.
Residential customers can choose to not have a smart meter installed. By opting out you will miss out on all of the benefits, including the ability to save money and energy by managing your energy usage.
If you choose not to have a smart meter, Con Edison will be required to send a meter reader to your home. You will be charged for this service and may also incur the following additional charge:
- We will attempt to read your meter on a bimonthly basis and you will be charged a monthly fee of $9.50.
- If you choose to have your smart meters taken out, you will be charged $104.74 for each electric meter and $93.81 for each gas meter.
Additionally, Con Edison has the right to install an automated meter-reading device or smart meter at our discretion if we are unable to obtain access on four consecutive bimonthly meter-reading dates. As an alternative, you may agree to install and maintain equipment necessary to provide for outdoor metering.
If you change your mind at a later date, we will install smart meters at no cost.
If you don’t want a smart meter:
- Call us at 1-800-576-2005 to get more information about your options and costs associated with opting out.
- After that, you can download and fill out the Smart Meter Opt-Out form.
- Email us the completed form or mail it to:
Con Edison Quality Assurance
30 Flatbush Avenue, 6fl
Brooklyn, NY 11217
If you are a residential customer and you have an automated meter reading device, which allows meter readings to be taken from the street or a passing vehicle, you can choose to have it removed. By opting out, you will not receive the benefit of automated meter readings, which do not require a representative to visit your home.
If you choose not to have automated meter reading, Con Edison will be required to send a meter reader to your home. You will be charged for this and may also incur the following additional charge:
- We will attempt to read your meter on a bimonthly basis and you will be charged a monthly fee of $9.50.
- If automated meter reading devices have already been installed (prior to 2017), you will be charged $104.74 for each electric meter and $93.81 for each gas meter.
Additionally, Con Edison has the right to install an automated meter-reading device or smart meter at our discretion if we are unable to obtain access on four consecutive bimonthly meter-reading dates. As an alternative, you may agree to install and maintain equipment necessary to provide for outdoor metering.
If you change your mind at a later date, we will install smart meters at no cost.
If you don’t want automated meter reading:
- Call us at 1-800-576-2005 to get more information about your options and costs associated with opting out.
- After that, you can fill out the Automated Meter Reading Opt-Out form.
- Email us the completed form or mail it to:
Con Edison
Quality Assurance
30 Flatbush Avenue, 6fl
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Have more questions? Call 1-800-576-2005. Brooklyn, NY 11217
Any device that uses wireless technology produces low-level radio frequency emissions. Radio frequency levels produced by everyday items such as cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and baby monitors are far below the limits identified as safe by the Federal Communications Commission.
Compared to these common devices, smart meters transmit radio frequency at extremely low signal strength. Data from a recent field study and analysis of our smart meters conducted by The Electric Power Research Institute and iMEC, an independent research lab based at Ghent University in Belgium, confirmed this.
The list of organizations that consider smart meters safe includes the American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, Federal Communications Commission, and Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization.