CenterPoint Energy's smart metering system is the first step toward moving the electric grid into the digital age. Our smart meters have two-way communication capabilities and Internet addresses, much like computers, with the ability to send usage data every 15 minutes and on demand.
Smart meters will make a new energy future possible:
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Remote meter reading - CenterPoint Energy will be able to read smart meters remotely, virtually eliminating the need to go house to house to read electric meters, which means fwer trucks on the road
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Smoother transactions - Remote connection and disconnection of electric service should reduce the time it takes to process service orders at most homes.
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Automatic outage notification - Smart meters will automatically notify CenterPoint Energy about power outages to help us restore power more quickly.
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Energy efficiency and savings - Consumers will be able to monitor their electricity usage to better manage their energy costs by making small changes such as adjusting the thermostat.
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New products and services - Competitive Retailers can now offer new products and services such as pre-paid service, time-of-use rates, and energy analysis tools.
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Home Area Networks (HAN) – Smart meters can interact with ZigBee -compatible HAN devices such as thermostats or other electric appliances so consumers can better manage their electricity use.
