Newton to Receive New Eversource ‘Smart Meters’

Newton residents will soon have their old electric meters replaced with smart meters.

Eversource is rolling out smart meters across Massachusetts. As of mid-April, Eversource has installed more than 226,000 smart meters across the state, according to a Newton Beacon report. The smart meters are operating as an opt-out program. People will receive a smart meter unless they notify Eversource that they don't want it.

Smart meters are designed to provide 15-minute interval data on electricity usage, offering far greater granularity than traditional meters.

Thanks to the time-specific nature of the smart meters, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) could enact time-varying rates. The rates would enable the DPU to adjust the cost of electricity by the hour rather than using a fixed rate for the day. For example, electricity could be offered at a lower rate during the night because demand is lower.

While Eversource has informed some Newton residents that they will receive smart meters, the timeline for installation isn't very clear. Newton's meter exchanges are expected to start next month and continue through the end of this summer.

Some residents say they only learned about the changes through community groups or social media.

“I imagine it'd be helpful to know when the peak usage hours are,” said Wilson Bui, who lives on Los Angeles Street along the Charles River, in a statement to The Newton Beacon. “As soon as the heat wave comes or as soon as the freeze comes, that's when everyone turns on their furnace or their AC.”

Officials and advocates of smart meters highlight the potential affordability benefits and improved grid management from the rollout of smart meters. However, the DPU has not stated its goals related to the smart meter rollout, according to the Beacon.