New technology offers more benefits, potential savings for customers
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (March 11, 2024) – Customers in southeast Missouri will begin seeing crews in their neighborhoods as Ameren Missouri installs upgraded electric smart meters. The new meters will replace the current meter system, offering customers more options to tailor energy usage and potentially save money.
Crews began working in Cape Girardeau and Dexter on March 4, and most installations should be complete by summer 2024. More than 42,000 customers in the area will receive new smart meters. Customers in Caruthersville, Charleston, Hayti, Portageville and Steele can expect smart meter installation to begin in August.
“The smart technology upgrades offered by these new electric meters give customers more convenience, choice and control over their energy use,” said John Luth, director of the smart meter program at Ameren Missouri. “Our accelerated meter deployment will give more customers access to the benefits of this technology sooner.”
Customers will be able to capitalize on the benefits of the smart meters soon after installation is complete. The precise energy usage information provided by the smart meter allows customers to better manage their energy habits, potentially saving on their bills. The new technology enables expanded rate options, allowing customers to lower bills by shifting their energy use to lower-cost time periods. Smart meters offer convenience by speeding up the move-in, move-out process. The technology can also identify outages even faster, which helps Ameren Missouri better address restoration.
More information about the smart meter installation and time-of-use rate options is available at AmerenMissouri.com/SmartMeters.
As Ameren Missouri works to deploy the new technology in communities throughout its service territory, the company reminds customers to be vigilant of potential scam calls.
“Thieves may demand a deposit or payment for smart meter installation,” said Luth. “We want customers to know we never demand payment for electrical work, and no payment is required for the smart meter installation. Customers should call Ameren Missouri directly at 800-552-7583 to report a potential scam.”
The smart meter rollout is part of Ameren Missouri’s larger Smart Energy Plan, which launched in 2019 and aims to create cleaner and more reliable energy for its 1.2 million electric customers statewide. Smart meter installation for all Ameren Missouri customers should be complete by early 2025. Read more about the Smart Energy Plan.
About Ameren Missouri
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 135,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.