Frequently asked questions about remote reading
What’s the use of replacing the old meters with remotely read meters?
The remotely read electricity meter makes it possible to read the electricity meter and control its functions through a remote connection. The objective of changing over to remote reading is to improve customer service and increase the efficiency of metering and customer processes as well as the condition management of metering equipment.
The new electricity meters bring, e.g., the following benefits to the customer:
- The meter reader will no longer call at the customer to read the meter, nor does the customer have to report readings (which he or she may have had to do before)
- A more clear-cut electricity bill than before
- An opportunity for closer monitoring of electricity consumption data through the online services provided by our website.
Meter replacement
When will the meters be replaced?
The meters in the inner city area will be replaced during the years 2008 – 2010. All electricity meters in Helsinki will be connected to the remote reading system by 2013.
How do I know when my meter will be replaced?
In places of electricity use, in which the meters are located inside residences, we will inform customers about meter replacements by letter a few weeks before the installation date. In addition to this, three days before the intended meter replacement, the fitter will provide the customer with a notice in which he proposes a time for the replacement. If the proposed time is not convenient for the customer, he or she can fix a new point of time by calling the contact numbers given in the notice. If the meters are located outside the residences, customers will be informed by notices placed in the entrance halls of the building.
Will the meter replacement result in costs for us?
The meter replacement will not result in any costs for customers.
We live in a terraced house and our meters are in a closet, to which at the least meter reader has access. Do we need to take any measures?
No measures are required of the customers.
Does the fitter have a key to my residence?
No, the fitter does not have keys to customers’ residences. In case the meter is located inside the residence, the customer is always given a notice, informing him or her in advance of the meter replacement. Such notices are distributed to all residences. The day or days on which the meters are replaced are mentioned in the notice, along with the telephone numbers of Mitox Oy or Eltel Networks Oy, which the customer can call to agree on letting in the fitter. If the customer does not contact Mitox Oy or Eltel Networks Oy and the maintenance company or caretaker has a master key to the residence, a representative of the maintenance company or the caretaker will let the fitter into the residence to carry out the meter replacement.
If the meter is located outside the residence, the residence is not entered. Instead, the meters are replaced in a meter cupboard located in the common premises of the building. Mitox Oy or Eltel Networks Oy will inform the customers by placing notices about the replacement date or dates in the entrance halls of the building.
Will the residence be entered, if the meters are in the main fuse box?
No. If the meters are in the main fuse box, the residence will not be entered.
Can the customer keep the old electricity meter?
No, because Helen Sähköverkko Oy will send the old metres to a recycling centre, where all recyclable materials from the meters will be recovered for reutilisation.
How big is the meter?
The new remotely read meter is about the same size as the meter the customer has now.
Will the foundation on which the meter is fastened be changed?
No, it will not be changed. Only the meter will be replaced. The new meter is about the same size as the previous one.
Effects of meter replacement
Will the meter replacement affect the control of night-time energy?
No, the meter replacement will have no effect on the control of night-time energy. Equipment such as hot water boilers, set to function during the lower night-time energy rate, automatically switch on at an agreed time.
Should I choose a particular electricity retailer because of remote reading?
Remote reading or meter replacement do not in any way limit the customer’s opportunities to buy electricity from any electricity retailer.
Is it possible to get more electricity through a new meter, i.e. can several appliances be on at the same time (now the microwave and coffee maker, for example, cannot be on at the same time in this dwelling)?
The meter has not restricted the supply of electricity until now, and the meter replacement will not improve the situation. If the capacity of the distribution circuit of a building is limited and thus restricts electricity usage in a dwelling, the resident should contact the building manager.
Billing
How will the meter replacement affect my electricity bills?
Billing according to estimation, which we use now, will end. After the change-over, every bill will be based on the customer’s realised electricity usage. We will inform our customers by letter as the installation of remotely read meters progresses and the introduction of billing according to realised electricity consumption becomes possible.
So far, I have personally reported the readings for billing according to measured consumption. Will I have to continue to report readings?
No, you will not. The new electricity meter will automatically transfer the readings to our system.
Monitoring electricity consumption
How can I monitor my electricity consumption on the meter?
In places of electricity use, in which the meters are in the customers’ premises, the fitters will leave instructions for reading the meter beside the meter or fasten them on the side of the meter. The instructions can also be read and printed from Helsingin Energia’s website.
