Español

What is an advanced meter?

Entergy Texas is in the process of rolling out a new digital, advanced metering and communications system. The new meters are "advanced" because they record usage in 15-minute increments and can communicate with us on a two way-basis via a new secure wireless communication network.

The majority of utilities across the United States have installed advanced meters. Advanced meters will provide a number of future benefits, including new online tools to help you better manage your energy usage and potentially save money on your bills, improved customer service due to the deeper level of insight into your energy usage, quicker and more accurate detection of outages, reduced costs due to the elimination of on-site meter reading, faster detection of electricity theft, and faster connection and disconnection of service.

What are the benefits of advanced meters?

Advanced meters offer:

  • Faster identification: Quicker repairs now that we can identify outages more accurately.
  • Greater efficiency: Conserve more energy by accessing your detailed energy usage.
  • Smarter tools: New tools to help manage your energy usage, which could lead to lower bills.
  • Better communication: Improved customer service with faster answers to billing and account questions.

Why am I receiving an advanced meter?

Entergy Texas is committed to continuous improvement of its systems and services, and the introduction of advanced meters is the first step toward modernizing and building a smarter energy future for our customers. We have studied the costs and benefits of advanced metering. This system will reduce some of our current meter reading and operational costs, benefits that will be delivered to you to offset some of the costs of this investment. This system will enable us to provide new products and services to you that will enable you to reduce your monthly bill and manage your energy usage more efficiently. The Public Utility Commission of Texas agreed with our proposal and approved the deployment of advanced metering for our customers.

Is there a cost for the meter?

Starting in January 2018 and through December 2022, a $2.88 surcharge was added to Entergy Texas residential customers’ bills. Starting in January 2018, an advanced meter surcharge was added to Entergy Texas residential customers' monthly bills. As of December 2023, the surcharge was lowered to $1.53 and will eventually drop off customers' bills by the end of 2029. This amount will help pay for the costs associated with advanced metering, including the communication system. The savings in our operational costs will be used to offset some of the new system costs. Over time, we believe the potential benefits will far outweigh the overall costs of meter deployment. We will be providing you with new programs and services that help put more control in your hands to better manage and reduce your monthly electric usage. Click here for more details about advanced metering rates.

Do I have to get a new advanced meter?

If you do not want an advanced meter, you will have the opportunity to "opt-out" of receiving your meter upgrade. Customers who choose to "opt out" will incur a one-time service and administration fee in the amount of $200. Also, you will incur an approximate $30 monthly manual meter-reading fee, which will be added to your monthly bill. Because the older, analog meters do not capture your electric usage every 15 minutes, you will not have access to detailed energy usage information, or be eligible to participate in some future programs that might be helpful in further managing your electric bill, and may experience longer restoration times in case of a service interruption or outage.

Customer satisfaction is our utmost priority. We believe that advanced meters will offer tremendous benefits to our customers; however, should you be unsure about the meter or have further questions, we are happy to answer them. Please call us at 1-800-ENTERGY.

What can I expect from the new online portal?

If you’ve had your advanced meter installed, log into your online Entergy account to better manage your energy usage. Once there, you will find: a new dashboard that provides easy access to view energy usage, bills, saving tips and more; near real-time energy views that will be updated to your online account several times over the course of the day, with displayed usage in 15-minute increments for residential electric customers and 5-minute increments for commercial electric customers; personalized efficiency tips with a list of energy efficiency suggestions tailored to your specific needs and interests. With this tool, you can find out how much money each suggestion can save over time; and a personalized saving plan where you can optimize energy usage depending on your unique energy goals.

How will I be affected by the meter exchange if I am registered with Entergy's Life Support Identify Program?

The upgrade to your advanced meter is the same as when we exchange any meters. If you are registered with Entergy’s Life Support Identity Program, then the installer will not exchange your meter without first speaking with you. If you are currently not registered with this program please call 1-800-ENTERGY.

How safe are these meters?

The majority of homes and businesses in the United States currently have advanced meters. They operate by using radio frequency similar to many common devices such as mobile phones and appliances around the home, but at a significantly lower level. Many electronic devices, including your television, microwave and baby monitor, use radio frequency technology.

This technology has been deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Federal Communications Commission, and World Health Organization.

Is my personal information secure?

Data security has been and always will be of utmost importance to Entergy Texas. We will continue to provide the highest level of protection to your privacy and data. Learn more about the company's privacy policy.

Will a meter reader still need to come to my home or business?

Once your advanced meter is initially installed, Entergy will continue to manually read energy usage for a period of time, while also conducting automated readings collected from the new advanced meter. This period of time allows us to ensure the communications network and meters in your area are fully installed and working properly together. We’ll be monitoring these energy usage readings as an additional step, but this is temporary. In the long-term, there will be little need for a meter reader to come to your home. Instead, this will be an automated process where we will bill according to your reported energy usage. You may receive a visit on occasion from a field employee to test or maintain equipment.

Will advanced meters be used to remotely turn off service?

Advanced meters will enable Entergy Texas to remotely turn service on and off at your premises, making moving in and out of homes easier and more convenient for our customers. This function can also be used to handle accounts with unresolved payment issues, following the consumer protection regulations that are currently in place for residential service.

Will Entergy Texas have more control over how and when you use your energy?

No. Advanced meters function much like current meters. They read energy use, but cannot do anything to interfere with how customers use energy in their homes. Advanced meters are designed to provide customers with more timely usage information so that customers can make necessary adjustments to reduce consumption if they chose to.

What if I have rooftop solar panels or a generator at my home?

Entergy will be replacing all existing meters including digital, bi-directional net meters for customers with rooftop solar systems. You do not have to do anything differently to prepare for your meter upgrade if you are a net metering customer or if you have a generator installed.

Advanced meters will have additional functionality than current meters used for customers with solar panels. For example, advanced meters are equipped with two-way communications and do not require manual reading as do existing meters used by solar customers. In addition, customers will be provided detailed usage data to better monitor their energy consumption.

There are no changes with advanced meters that will affect billing for net metering, or otherwise impact the operation of a customer’s solar system. Once your meter is installed, you’ll soon have access to detailed usage data and new tools that will create additional opportunities for you to save on your bills.

How will advanced metering help during a major storm?

By communicating with advanced meters remotely, Entergy Texas can determine if power is on or off without sending trucks to the field. This level of precision lets us respond to outages more effectively than ever before. During a storm, data sourced from advanced meters will help us visualize, analyze, and efficiently manage repairs, reducing outage times while quickly and accurately verifying service restoration.

How do I read my advanced meter?

View detailed instructions to read your advanced meter.

Where can I find more information?

The majority of utilities across the United States have installed advanced meters.

For more information, click through industry resources below: