CenterPoint Energy's advanced metering system is the first step toward moving the electric grid into the digital age. Our interactive meters have two-way communication capabilities and Internet addresses, much like computers, with the capability to send usage data every 15 minutes and on demand. Here are some of the future benefits that interactive meters can make possible:

• Energy Efficiency and Savings - The new meters will allow consumers to monitor energy use and cost in near real-time, for more informed energy choices.
  • Eventually, consumers will be able to request on-demand meter reads over the internet and see their daily usage in 15-minute increments. That will help consumers see the effect of more efficient appliances, thermostat adjustments and how changes in energy use can reduce the cost of monthly bills.
  • Using less energy saves money for consumers and means less power will need to be produced – which is good for consumers and great for the environment.
• Improved Meter Reading - These new meters provide the capability for remote meter reading, eliminating the need for CenterPoint Energy to go house-to-house.
• Smoother Transactions - When choosing a new retail electric provider (REP) or moving to a new home or business, consumers will be able to save time through faster service with remote service connections and disconnections. This functionality is expected to be enabled for new meters by September 2009.
• Faster Outage Response Time - Advanced meters will allow CenterPoint Energy the ability to quickly pinpoint and respond to outages.
• New Products and Services - Advanced  meters make it possible for REPs to offer new products and services, such as pre-paid service, time-of-use rates that encourage off-peak energy use, and energy analysis and cost comparison tools.
• "Smart Homes" - Home automation would become easier and less costly to implement. Advanced meters would be able to communicate with Home Area Networks to remotely control appliances and thermostats. This is expected to be offered at a later date through REPs.