Nova Scotia Power photo
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A release from NSP states they plan to change current electricity meters over to smart meters in the Stellarton, New Glasgow, Pictou, and Antigonish between March and June 2020. The company states the move is part of a drive to modernize the province’s electricity grid and provide customers with better service.
Smart meters digitally measure electricity use and pass the data over a secure wireless network to Nova Scotia Power, who will use the information to create a customer’s bill. Customers won’t be charged for the upgrades which NSP says will not increase the current electricity rates.
Nova Scotia Power will notify customers via a mailed notice. In most cases, meters are located outside, so homeowners don’t need to be present when the work is done. The typical upgrade will take less than 15 minutes with only a momentary loss of power.
Once all meters in the province switch over, stated NSP, the benefits will include access to daily information on energy consumption; no on-site appointment will be required for power connection or disconnection; and Nova Scotia Power will be immediately informed when the power goes out, allowing for a quicker response in outages.