Meter Installation Frequently Asked Questions

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• Residential Customers FAQ
• Commercial Customers FAQ

Residential Customers FAQ

1. When will my new smart meter be installed?
2. How can I prepare for my smart meter installation?
3. What are the hours for installation?
4. Do I have to be home for the installation?
5. Can I make an installation appointment?
6. How long will the meter installation take?
7. Will I lose power when my meter is exchanged?
8. Who will be installing my smart meter?
9. How will I know if my meter has been replaced with a smart meter?
10. What will change when my smart meter is installed?
11. How will my old meter be disposed of?

1. When will my new smart meter be installed?
Individual communities will be made aware of their installations dates well in advance. You will also receive a letter from BC Hydro a few weeks prior to your installation date notifying you of the exchange.

2. How can I prepare for my smart meter installation?
To prepare for installation, please:

• Provide clear and safe access to the meter – ensure there is nothing blocking your meter such as locked gates, bushes, and meters that have been boxed in.
• Keep dogs and other pets safely away from the meter.

3. What are the hours for installation?
Typically, smart meter installations will take place Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST.

4. Do I have to be home for the installation?
You do not need to be home for the installation, as long as we have safe and clear access to your meter – please remove any physical modifications that prevent a meter exchange.

5. Can I make an installation appointment?
Most smart meter installation will be performed without an appointment. The installation process is simple and quick – and can be done with little or no inconvenience to you. Remember you don't need to be home for the installation to happen, as long as we have safe and clear access to your meter.

6. How long will the meter installation take?
In most cases, the meter exchange will take less than 10 minutes.

7. Will I lose power when my meter is exchanged?
You will experience a brief power interruption, lasting 60 seconds on average. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

8. Who will be installing my smart meter?
BC Hydro and Corix (our B.C.-based authorized contractor), will be installing smart meters in homes and businesses across the province. All installers will be in well-marked vehicles and will be wearing BC Hydro ID badges.

Corix is an experienced installer and has performed over 10 million meter exchanges and other device installations and retrofits for various gas, water and electric utilities across North America.

9. How will I know if my meter has been replaced with a smart meter?
Once your new smart meter has been installed, you will be provided with brochure indicating that your meter has been exchanged.

10. What will change when my smart meter is installed?
For now, there will be no change in your service. In the near future, BC Hydro begin to measure your energy usage remotely, rather than by visiting your property.

11. How will my old meter be disposed of?
Most of the meter parts are 100 per cent recyclable, and the meters will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

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Commercial Customers FAQ

1. When will my business receive a new smart meter?
2. Do I need to make special arrangements for the meter installation?
3. Do I have to be at my business for the installation to happen?
4. Can I book an appointment to minimize disruption to my business?
5. How long will the meter installation take?
6. Will I lose power when my meter is exchanged?
7. Who will be installing my smart meter?
8. How will I know if my meter has been replaced with a smart meter?
9. What will change when my smart meter is installed?
10. How will my old meter be disposed of?

1. When will my business receive a new smart meter?
Individual communities will be made aware of their installations dates well in advance. A notification letter will also be sent to your business a few weeks prior to your installation date. The letter will be sent to the same address as your bill.

2. Do I need to make special arrangements for the meter installation?
To prepare for installation, please provide clear and safe access to your meter(s) – If keys are required to gain access to the meter room, we will follow the same process we use when we read your meter(s).

3. Do I have to be at my business for the installation to happen?
To minimize disruption to your operations when we arrive at your business, we will work with you to determine if it is a convenient time to conduct the meter exchange. If it isn't, we will arrange an alternative time to conduct the meter exchange. You do not need to be present for the installation, as long as we have access to your meter.

If your business is not in operation when we arrive, and it is safe to do so, we will proceed with the meter exchange.

The installer will leave a brochure to inform you that we have exchanged your meter.

If you're not at your business at the time of installation and the meter is inaccessible, a meter exchange attempted card will be left at your door.

4. Can I book an appointment to minimize disruption to my business?
We'll work with you to arrange a convenient time to perform the meter exchange. Typically, we will arrive at your business and notify you before starting any work. If the time is not convenient, we will schedule an appointment with you. Typically, the meter exchange takes about 10 minutes. For business customers, if you prefer, you can pre-schedule an appointment for your meter exchange. Please contact Corix at 1 888 495 2767 for more information.

5. How long will the meter installation take?
In most cases, the meter exchange will take less than 10 minutes.

6. Will my business experience a power outage?
Depending on the type of meter you have, you may experience a 60 second power outage. Commercial customers with a transformer type meter will not experience an outage. We will work with your schedule in order to minimize disruption to your business operations. Please refer to your notification letter to see if your business will experience a power outage.

7. Who will be installing my smart meter?
BC Hydro and Corix (our B.C.-based authorized contractor), will be installing smart meters in homes and businesses across the province. All installers will be in well-marked vehicles and will be wearing BC Hydro ID badges.

Corix has both strong local knowledge and broad experience and has performed over 10 million meter exchanges and other device installations and retrofits for various gas, water and electric utilities across North America.

8. How will I know if my meter has been replaced with a smart meter?
Once your new smart meter has been installed, you will be provided with a brochure [PDF, 749 Kb] indicating that your meter has been exchanged.

9. What will change when my smart meter is installed?
For now, there will be no change in your service. In the near future, BC Hydro will begin to measure your energy usage remotely, rather than by visiting your property.

10. How will my old meter be disposed of?
Most of the meter parts are 100 per cent recyclable, and the meters will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

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