Gas Company: New Advanced Meter
program comes to Santa Paula
October 30, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
They’re here...and the new Southern California Gas Company (SCG) upgrade to an Advanced Meter (AM) communications device has hit Santa Paula.
The program — rolled out several years ago — retrofits existing gas meters for all residential and most business natural gas meters by adding the device, which SCG says will give customers more insight into their gas usage with new online tools.
Critics charge that the electrical transmission can be a health risk, and those residential customers that would prefer to opt out can do so, but it will cost them a $75 upfront fee and a hefty monthly charge.
It takes about 15 minutes for the new meter to be installed onto the existing unit: the gas is not turned off during the installation so there is no need to reignite pilot lights.
Once it’s installed and up and running visits by meter readers will practically be eliminated, as usage will be electronically transmitted. There will be maintenance calls as needed.
According to the SCG website, “With the new Advanced Meter technology, we are empowering our customers to save energy and money. With this upgrade, you will be able to:
•View up-to-date hourly and daily usage information and estimated costs
•Set and achieve your savings and conservation goals
•Take an energy survey to learn how to conserve energy and save money
•Analyze your usage over time.”
With an online account customers will be able to gain access to their hourly and daily usage information and analysis tools online through My Account at socalgas.com, where they can also view and pay their bill, schedule service and sign up for paperless billing.
With an online account customers will be able to access the tools that will allow them to view their hourly, daily and monthly usage reports, analyze their bill history, set and review their savings and conservation goals. There will also be a energy survey so customers can learn how they can save even more.
“Customers who, in the past, had to provide Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas®) with a key to their gates, leave latches unlocked or confine their dogs to allow meter reading will only need to provide entry for periodic maintenance,” notes the website. “However, until our communications network is fully operational, access to manually read the meter for a few more months is still needed.”
The new technology will allow customers to not only monitor their gas consumption but also to sign up for Bill Tracker Alerts through My Account at socalgas.com
Customers will receive weekly updates sent via email and/or text regarding their bill-to-date and projected next bill.
Those with an online account can visit “Manage My Account: Manage Alerts” within My Account to sign up.
The Gas Company states that the “Advanced Meter project will enable operational savings over the life of the project, estimated to be more than double the value of our investment. Operational savings will be passed along to customers in overall rates.”
Operational savings include meter readers but it is expected that the multi-year program will allow time for attrition including retirements.
And speaking of rates: those residential customers that opt out will be charged a $75 initial fee and then a monthly $10 charge. For customers enrolled in the low-income CARE program the initial fee will be $10 with a monthly charge of $5. Only residential customers can opt out of the program.
If you received an Advanced Meter installation letter and would like to schedule an appointment call: 1-877-268-6211, Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
If you do not want an Advanced Meter installed, call the SCG Customer Contact Center and ask to participate in the Opt-Out Program: 1-800-427-2200.
