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0 Many utility companies have been transitioning away from using remote telemetry system (RTS) meters to monitor electricity usage in homes and businesses; instead, they have been installing advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) smart meters. This transition has led many customers to wonder why RTS meters are being turned off and replaced with smart meters.
The limitations of RTS meters
RTS meters have been used for decades to collect electricity usage data for billing purposes, but the service that supports this is due to be switched off by the end of March 2024.
RTS meters have some limitations, as they only provide usage information to the utility once per month. This means there is a lag in data, which prevents detailed energy monitoring. The meters also need to be read manually by utility workers, which is time-consuming and labour-intensive. What’s more, RTS meters are strictly one-way devices and cannot receive or transmit data in real-time, so there is no remote access to up-to-date usage information.
If you need a replacement electric meter box, these are available from companies such as www.meterbox.co.uk/electric-meter-boxes.
The benefits of smart meters
Smart meters have advantages over RTS meters, such as enabling two-way, real-time communication between the meter and the utility company. Data can also be transmitted frequently, often multiple times per day, with this constant data flow allowing for detailed energy monitoring and analysis. Customers and utilities can track usage by the hour, day or month.
Smart meters can also be read remotely, eliminating the need for manual meter reading. They support time-of-use pricing and demand response programs, which are not possible with basic RTS meters.
The advanced capabilities of smart meters make them a better long-term investment for utility companies striving to modernise their grid infrastructure and improve the customer experience.
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