Advancing with advanced meter installations

DREMC has begun full deployment of the advanced meters following a successful pilot testing period in Coffee and Moore counties. The cooperative has employed a licensed contractor, Allegiant Utility Services, to change out existing electric meters across our service area with an advanced meter to improve reliability and to give detailed data about energy use.

The advanced member upgrades provide many benefits:

• Improved reliability by identifying and pinpointing outages more quickly.
• Improved member service by providing detailed data about energy use in the home and business with daily alerts via text or email.
• Improved efficiency in managing operational costs with remote meter reading, saving money by significantly reducing labor and transportation costs.

The Allegiant Utility Services contractors will be in uniform and will have photo identification cards, as shown in the photos. Their company vehicles display both the Allegiant logo and will also be labeled as a DREMC contractors.

You will receive prior notification by both mail and phone of when to expect the meter replacement. When they arrive at your home, the installers will knock at the door to let you know they are there to replace your meter. The installers will not need, nor will they request, to enter your home nor will they request any personal information or payment from you for the meter replacement service. During the process, your power will be out for just a few minutes. And when the installation is complete, the contractor will leave a door hanger at your location to letting you know meter has been replaced.

“Utility scams occasionally circulate in our service area claiming to represent DREMC,” says DREMC CEO and President Michael Watson, “so we have made sure that the Allegiant contractors can be easily identified as professionals who represent Duck River Electric.”

Also, please remember that there is no cost to our members for the installation of the advanced meters. However, if you opt out of the advanced meter program, there will be a monthly meter reading fee of $25 added to your bill to cover costs; this fee is equal to our current service charge per trip.

“The advanced meters will bring lots of benefits to our members and to the cooperative,” adds Watson. “It is a powerful way to stay aware of your energy use, save money and increase reliability.”

If you have questions or concerns regarding the identity of anyone claiming to represent DREMC, please call your local office for verification.