The smart meter is part of a system that enables remote two-way communication between the meter and Dominion Energy. The system uses radio frequency mesh technology to securely gather data from the meter. The network access point (router) collects the data and periodically transfers the data to Dominion Energy via a secure cellular network. The routers are strategically placed in the field to ensure information is passed from its source to its destination as quickly and efficiently as possible.

We are installing smart meters in limited locations to continue deployment within territories serviced by Dominion Energy offices already outfitted with advanced metering technology. These meters will provide customers with more reliable delivery of energy, better power-outage detection, more responsive problem resolution and remote meter reading. Learn about our plans to improve service across Virginia.

The U.S. Department of Energy states that a smarter grid applies technologies, tools and techniques to increase knowledge capable of making the grid work more efficiently. A smarter, more efficient and reliable electric grid means better service for customers, benefits for the environment and lower costs in the long run.

The smart meters help us identify and respond to outages more efficiently. However, it is still important for you to report your outage so that your information can be reported in our outage management system. By calling in, you can help us identify safety hazards such as downed wire or provide specific information that will help our company restore power more efficiently.

Customers will receive notices in the mail regarding their upcoming meter upgrade. The postcard typically arrives several weeks before the new meter is installed. The installer will notify you by providing a door hanger. If for some reason the installation was not completed, instructions will be left for you including who to contact for a follow up visit.

The meter will be placed in the existing meter base at the customer's location.

A smart meter fits into the existing size and shape of the meter base currently at your residence. The “smart” components are inside the meter.

Dominion Energy has partnered with Aclara to provide standard (residential and smaller commercial) meter exchange services. Dominion Energy full-time metering personnel handle non-standard installations, such as medium and large Commercial and Industrial accounts.

The Aclara technician will wear a Dominion Energy badge and drive a vehicle identified as an authorized contractor for Dominion Energy Virginia.  All personnel are adhering to social distancing guidelines and protocols.

At most sites, a field metering technician will be at your property for 10 minutes or less. During this time, there will be a short interruption to the electric service.

This type of work does not require an appointment. On the day of the upgrade, the technician will knock on your door before beginning work and leave a door hanger if you are not there, indicating the exchange occurred earlier that day. We can schedule appointments for smart meter upgrades in locations where meter technicians encounter an access issue.

No, it should not. Like a standard meter, a smart meter measures the actual electric usage.

Smart meters capture meter readings more frequently, typically on a daily basis and reduce the need for estimation. When billing a customer’s account, if there is a recent meter reading, that reading will be used to generate a monthly bill. Although rare, there may still be times that remote meter readings are not able to be captured in the window needed to generate the bill, resulting in an estimation.

Additionally, the smart meters have been tested under various conditions, and they show accurate readings. If you experience an unexpected increase in your bill, it might be due to changes in your usage such as heating and cooling spikes or your purchase of additional electronic equipment, such as a large-screen television. A customer who notices an unexplained significant change in the amount of electricity being used should contact us.

Upgrading to a smart meter does require a brief power outage, which could trigger a security system alarm. Security systems should have a battery backup that is designed to last for 8-12 hours in case of a power outage. Of course, if the alarm triggers a call to police, you would need to verify that there isn’t an emergency at your home or business. The usual process that you would go through with a typical power outage when it relates to the security alarm would be the same during a meter exchange.

We offer a Non-Communicating Meter Option (Opt-Out) for customers who do not wish to have a fully functional smart meter installed at their home. The Non-Communicating meters are digital meters with no communications or data storage features.

No. As part of the provision of electric service, customers are subject to Dominion Energy’s Terms and Conditions. All meters are to be owned and operated by Dominion Energy. Anyone who tampers with or damages any metering device is putting themselves in danger. These guidelines are meant to protect our customers, as electricity is an ever-present safety hazard to persons not certified or instructed on how to appropriately handle electrical equipment.

Radio frequency levels for smart meters are set by the Federal Communications Commission and the meters used by Dominion Energy comply with the FCC standards. Radio frequency levels measured from smart meters are well below the approved limits. Learn more about smart meters and radio frequency.

Our system is and will continue to be in compliance with standards on cybersecurity and privacy. Our systems also comply with federal and state regulations. Network devices and smart meters will remain in alignment with the established standards and will use internet protocol to drive strong cyber security. (In the case of network devices, this refers to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards; and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards apply to meters.).

Just like other types of meters, smart meters measure total energy consumption - how much energy is being used - not how the energy is used. Dominion Energy uses the information to manage and bill customer accounts and uses aggregated data to develop load forecasts to help manage the business. We do not monitor how a customer uses energy. The meter does not know what appliances are in use within a customer’s home. 

No. Unless required in a legal proceeding or through a subpoena, the only way a third party can see or view your energy use data is with your permission, and a signed letter of authorization from you must be on file before we would move forward with any requests.

They are extremely accurate. Meters are subject to strict design standards when they are manufactured. Meters are tested by the manufacturer and those results are sent to us. We have a procedure to select and test meters on a random basis both before and after putting them into service to confirm they operate satisfactorily.

The standards for smart meters must meet requirements set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) develops standards for consumer products like televisions, cell phones and blenders. Smart meters aren’t sold as a consumer product. Instead, smart meters are manufactured and tested under stringent standards set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).