AMR Questions & Answers 

How does AMR work?
Using a power line carrier signal, Homer Electric can bring meter reading information and other electronic data back from the customer's location to the Cooperative approximately six (6) seconds.

Why are we changing to the AMR system?
The AMR system provides Homer Electric and consumers with numerous customer service and cost saving benefits.

What is the meter installation schedule?
Homer Electric members can expect to see the transition to the AMR system along with its benefits during a five year deployment. See proposed build-out schedule.

Where in Homer Electric's service territory will the meter installation process begin?
Eleven substations are targeted for deployment over the next five years. The first year of the project Marathon, Kasilof, Beaver Creek and Bernice Lake substations will be upgraded with the AMR equipment. Once the new AMR meters, communications system, and billing are in place and tested, the Cooperative will proceed to convert approximately 5,000 meters a year over a period of five years, completing our build-out by 2010.

How is the installation schedule decided?
The installation schedule is based on logistical considerations and operational issues with the power line carrier system. The AMR project has to stay in a systematic build-out where meters and equipment are installed at adjacent substations and operational ties exist.

Who will be changing out the meters?
At this time, the meter exchanges will be performed by a fully qualified IBEW contractor of Homer Electric or HEA personnel. Cooperative personnel or its contractor will be equipped with flags, vests, hats, or decals that identify them and their purpose for being at the meter. We may also provide door hangers to inform each member of their purpose and presence. If any changes are made to this process, the Cooperative will publicize the revision and what types of identification to look for.

If a meter is installed in the home, will the homeowner have to be present for the conversion?
No. There will be a very short outage to complete the change out. Remember that HEA or its contractor will need clear access to your meter. A second trip to a location because of a lack of access to the meter can result in a charge to the customer.

How will I know that the meter conversion is complete?
Once the new AMR meters are installed, the communications system in place, and billing set up, your next HEA bill will reflect the completion of the meter change out. The new AMR system now has the capability to automatically communicate with the meter and no longer needs to be read by HEA or read by the member. When installations are completed in an area, it will be reported in the monthly newsletter, the Kilowatt Courier.

Do members have a choice to get a Cannon Technologies meter?
No. Cannon meters will be installed on most of all Homer electric accounts. HEA is embarking on a system-wide AMR program that will change 100 percent of existing residential meters to AMR, in order to acquire more accurate information, without the need to routinely enter a member's property. At this time, if a member has a question about their energy usage, HEA must send operation personnel to the member's property to examine the meter. With AMR, Member Service Representatives can query the meter, and obtain the reading in approximately six seconds. AMR will give HEA daily meter readings. AMR will allow Homer Electric to read the meter in most any kind of weather conditions. AMR allows us to give members much better customer service, incorporating the latest technology to give HEA significant benefits in regard to customer service, reliability and cost savings.

What are Homer Electric's costs implementation and maintenance of the AMR system?
The $5.6 million project is designed to not only benefit members with convenience and cost attributes, but to also increase the efficiency and safety of the Homer electric team.

What other installation parts will I need?
No additional parts are anticipated or required. However, if something is identified as faulty or hazardous with member's equipment, HEA employees will notify the member.

Will HEA notify me prior to installation?
Yes. We are placing phone calls to members and sending postcards in the mail as well as notifying areas of change-out in our monthly newsletter, the Kilowatt Courier. Members may also receive follow-up materials, such as door hangers to help explain the AMR system.

Will a power outage occur during the conversion?
Yes. Consumers will experience a short disruption in their service during conversion. Homer Electric employees will try to provide advance warning to members by sending an automated message via the telephone, a postcard in the mail, and/or knocking on the door before conducting the change-out. In extreme situations, problems with equipment owned by the member may result in a longer disruption of service for minor repairs.

If I am on a self-read schedule, when will it no longer be necessary to read the meter?
Once Homer Electric has installed and tested ll the AMR meters interconnected to the substation in your area, there will no longer be a need for you to read the meter. We will notify you once the AMR system is operational in your area. In the interim, please continue to read the new AMR meter until the Cooperative notifies you the AMR system has been tested and is operational.

Can I still read my meter after I have an AMR meter?
Yes, however, the read will not need to be submitted to the HEA office. Once the conversion has taken place you will be billed automatically. Members no longer have to spend their valuable time reading the meter. Other customer service enhancements such as billing interval options may soon be available.

What day of the month will meters be read?
All HEA meters can be read at a variety of times to obtain a history of account information. For billing purposes, the member's monthly billing cycle will remain the same, thus being a 30-day interval. Alternate billing cycles may be available in the future to increase customer satisfaction and bill processing efficiency.

How will HEA read the meters?
HEA's computer will communicate with the substation equipment and signal this equipment to request one or more meter readings. A reading request signal is sent over the power lines and the AMR meter responds back with meter reading(s). The entire process takes about 6 seconds for a single meter reading.

What if my bill reports more kilowatt usage than normal or if I think my meter is not working correctly?
Contact a member service representative at 800-478-8551 right away to discuss your billing concerns. Electronic meters are much more accurate than analog or mechanical meters. The Cannon meters installed by Homer Electric have been tested before installation. Homer Electric employees and staff have been briefed and are aware of the Cooperatives AMR project.

Will I keep the same rate after the conversion?
Yes. Members will continue to stay on the same rate class as they have been classified in the past.

Will meter deposits stay the same?
Yes. Meter deposits will stay the same.

Will seasonal accounts change?
Yes. Seasonal account services will no longer be available once the AMR meter is installed and working. The AMR system will track any usage and bill appropriately without a visit to the location. Seasonal accounts will be able to either receive their bill, which can be forwarded to a different address in the mail, or pay online monthly. Seasonal customers may want to consider winterizing the structure, and shut off breakers to avoid being billed for unexpected usage. Seasonal customers will continue to receive a monthly bill for the customer charge.

What's the difference between the Cannon meter and an old meter?
The new meters are digital electronic devices while the old meters were an electro-mechanical device. The new meters will continue to display the meter reading, but it will be in a digital LED format. The biggest difference is that the new Cannon meters will have an electronic circuit board module installed. The module receives and stores the kilowatt-hour (kWh) and demand consumption recorded by the electronics in the meter and is able to transmit this and other data over the power lines to equipment located in its substation. From the substation, the data is communicated by a fiber optic line to the HEA computer located in the Kenai office.

What information does the Cannon meter record?
The Cannon meter records an electronic kWh reading, the number of times the meter has experienced a loss of power for any reason, or if the meter has rotated backwards. It does record the date and time of the energy usage, when the lights blinked and how long the power was off.

Will someone other than Homer Electric be able to read the Cannon meter?
No. The AMR computer software is especially written for the HEA system. The substation communications equipment must be set up by the meter model and serial number and each meter must be added to the AMR computer by its serial number and substation location. Someone using a home computer will not be able to read this electric meter. In fact, the new meter reading system does not increase the risk of hacking. Additionally, other electric companies with Cannon systems will not be able to read the Cooperative's meters. EASY Pay services are available for online bill viewing and payment services.

How secure will the Cannon meters be?
The Cannon meter display is visible for the member to be able to check their consumption, all other information and data stored in the meter is secure and the meter is sealed.

How much is this going to cost HEA members?
There is no additional cost to the member to install the AMR system. There is no rate increase anticipated in association with this project. If the customer's equipment during the change-out is considered to be dangerous or faulty, we will inform the member and either replace parts or call an electrician at the member's expense. Members must keep their equipment in a safe, working order at all times.

Once members and/or HEA employees no longer need to read the meter, can obstacles be constructed that make the meter inaccessible?
No. Free access to equipment still must be maintained. This allows for members or HEA personnel to either read or maintain the meter if necessary at reasonable times.

Will HEA continue to do service inspections?
Routine inspections of all meters and services will continue in order to look for safety hazards, theft or other problems and to comply with Cannon Technologies requirements.

Can Homer Electric disconnect the power using the Cannon meters?
Yes, with the addition of a separate disconnect collar, the meters do have remote disconnect capabilities.

Will the Cannon module notify HEA when the power goes out?
No, the meters operate on a poll type basis, the meter does not contact HEA automatically - HEA requests a status report through the power line to the meter. Members will need to call Homer Electric to report a power outage or emergency situation. The meters will be able to record outages, which will allow HEA to verify whether the outage is either on the member's side of the meter or HEA's. Call 1-888-OUTAGE to report an outage.