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Network Meter Reading (NMR) is an automated meter system that allows JEA to read your meter electronically rather than by the current method, which is primarily to have someone come to your home or business to read the meter manually each month and submit the readings for bill calculation. There are many benefits to NMR. These frequently asked questions should answer most of your concerns, but if you have more, contact JEA's Project Outreach at (904) 665-7500, or JEA's Customer Care Center at (904) 665-6000.
Q. Why is JEA going to the new Network Meter Reading System?
A. JEA is committed to our customers, and we believe our customers expect and deserve the best service and state-of-the-art equipment. Accurate, timely meter reading and accurate billing are a key part of providing good service. NMR offers many benefits to our customers, which include:
- Timely and accurate meter reading, even in bad weather or in places where the meter is difficult to read;
- No more estimated bills due to locked gates, limited access to the customer's meter, dogs in the yard, etc.;
- No intrusion onto customer property. Currently, most meters are read each month by a person who has to enter the yard physically;
- JEA engineers will now have the capability of taking an area "snap shot" of the electric load for planning purposes and be able to correctly size transformers, increasing electric reliability in your area.
Q. How will this affect my JEA bill?
A. The majority of customers will see no impact whatsoever. If the water meter has not been replaced in approximately the last 12 years, and/or the electric meter has not been replaced in approximately the last 40 years, it's possible the older meter may be running slow. With the new, more accurate meter, your bill may go up slightly. If you are not sure when your meter was replaced, the rule of thumb is that it was most likely replaced at the time you had the service connected (i.e., when you moved in originally).
Q. Will both my electric and water meters be replaced at the same time?
A. No. Because these are two different services, two different crews will be working on the replacement-one for electric meters and one for water meters. However, the replacement of both meters likely will occur within two weeks of each other.
Q. Will I experience any interruption of water or electric service?
A. You will experience a very brief interruption while the actual meter is being changed, as the technician must turn the meter off to replace it. (For example, the electric meter replacement may take only a few minutes, and the water meter replacement may take 20 to 30 minutes.) The entire process, however, usually takes less than one half hour.
Q. When is this going to happen?
A. JEA began replacing customer meters in spring 2002. With nearly 600,000 meters in our community, it will take three years to get to every neighborhood.
Q. Will I be notified when someone is coming to change my meter?
A. Yes. You will receive notification by mail explaining the project a few weeks before your address is scheduled for meter replacement. As a courtesy, the field personnel will knock on your door so you have an opportunity to turn off any equipment (such as computers or washing machines) if you are home at the time of the installation. They will also leave behind a notice indicating the work was performed on that day.
Q. How is this going to be accomplished?
A. Schlumberger Sema and their subcontractor, Honeywell Corporation, will be sending their employees out into the neighborhoods as representatives of JEA to change old meters and install new ones
Typically, you will see a vehicle moving from house to house as field personnel progress through the installation on each street.
Q. How will I recognize the field personnel as part of the NMR project team?
A. Field personnel will be wearing uniforms with Honeywell, Schlumberger and JEA logos on them, and their vehicles will have magnetic signs identifying them with these organizations. Additionally, JEA will provide staff members with official contractor badges, including photo identification, that they will carry with them at all times.
Q. How does the system work?
A. Network Meter Reading (NMR) is a wireless meter reading system. A transmitting module installed inside your electric and/or water meter transmits the reading data to one of 2,700 pole-mounted devices called Micro Cell Controllers (MCCs). Thirty seven cell masters installed at area substations or treatment plants then collect the data from the 2,700 MCCs and send that data to the central hub for reading.
Q. Doesn't JEA currently use similar technology?
A. JEA has 55,000 radio-read meters that will also be replaced in order to tie in to the new NMR system.
Q. What is JEA going to do with the old meters once the new meters are in place?
A. Many utilities use similar meter systems. JEA is planning to offer the equipment from the meter system that's being replaced to other utilities for purchase. The dollars from the sale of the equipment will also help offset the cost of the new NMR system.
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