Advanced Metering

At Rochester Public Utilities (RPU), we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable service—and that includes upgrading the way we operate. In early 2026, we’ll begin installing new electric and water meters as part of our new advanced metering project.

What is advanced metering?

Advanced metering uses upgraded electric and water meters that securely communicate with RPU through a two-way network. This modern system will allow us to:

• Remotely read meters
• Detect outages more quickly 
• Early issue detection
• Provide you with detailed usage data through an enhanced customer portal (coming soon)

Installation details

Electric meters

• Installation takes less than 15 minutes. Some installations will require a brief outage to exchange the meter.
• No appointment needed—you don’t need to be home

Water meters

• Installation takes 30–60 minutes
• Appointment required, as the meter is located inside your home or business

All installations will be performed by RPU and our trusted partner, WESCO. Installers will carry proper ID and wear uniforms or badges. Learn what to expect during your meter upgrade by watching our short installation videos for both electric and water meters:

• Electric meter installation video
• Water meter installation video

Frequently Asked Questions

What are advanced meters?
Advanced meters are the next generation of our electric and water meters. Like our current meters, they use very low-power radios to communicate secure meter data back to the utility. The new advanced meters connect through a fixed network to support more timely reads and improved system awareness.

Do our automated meter reading meters already use radio communications?
Yes. Our existing automated meter reading meters use radio communications today. We have used this technology since 1999.

Why are we upgrading

Why is RPU replacing my automated meter reading meter?
Our current automated meter reading meter approach requires driving throughout the city every weekday to collect reads from the existing meter network. Advanced meters are the new utility standard. With advanced meters, reads are collected through a fixed network, which will significantly reduce the number of miles driven around the city for meter-reading collection. The fixed network also supports more timely reads and improved system awareness. For electric service, improved awareness can support faster outage response. For water service, more timely readings can help identify unusual continuous usage patterns that may indicate a leak. For water meters specifically, many communication batteries were installed in 1999 and are still operating today, and it is time to upgrade aging equipment to maintain reliability.

How the system works

How do advanced meters communicate? Are they transmitting all the time?
Advanced meters communicate using short, low-power radio messages rather than transmitting continuously. Water meter communication modules are designed to use very little power and rely on embedded batteries. Electric meters use a very small amount of electricity supplied on the utility side of the meter, so customers do not pay for the energy the meter uses.

How can the radio be so low power?
Water meter communication modules are designed for extremely low power so they can rely on embedded batteries that are designed to last decades under normal operating conditions. Electric meters are powered by the electric service and use a very small amount of electricity to operate the meter and communications, supplied on the utility side of the meter.

Installation and access

When will installations happen?
Installations will begin in early 2026 and continue over the next three years for both residential and commercial customers.

Do I need to be home?
Electric meter replacements are typically completed outside and do not require you to be home. Water meter replacements typically require an appointment because the meter is usually located inside the residence.

How will I know when my meter is being replaced?
Customers will receive advanced notification. If you're not home during an electric meter exchange, the installer will leave a door hanger with follow-up information. Water meter appointments will be scheduled ahead of time.

What’s the difference between electric and water meter installation?

• Electric meters take less than 15 minutes and do not require you to be home.
• Water meters take 30–60 minutes and do require an appointment since technicians must access your indoor meter.

Will I lose service during installation?
There may be a brief service interruption while the meter is being replaced.

What if my meter is blocked or the location is unsafe to access?
If the installer cannot safely access the meter, they will leave instructions on how to reschedule after access is cleared and safe.

Who is doing the installations?
RPU and our trusted partner, WESCO, will perform all meter installations. Installers will wear proper identification and uniforms or badges.

What happens to the old meter? Will it be recycled?
Yes. RPU will recycle or dispose of old meters using environmentally responsible methods.

Can you help me reset the clock on my microwave after the brief power outage when my meter is exchanged?
Probably not, sorry.

Billing, accuracy, and access

Will advanced meters change my rates?
The meter upgrade itself does not change the price you pay per kilowatt-hour or per unit of water. Any future rate changes would be communicated separately in advance.

Will advanced meters change how or when I’m billed?
No. You’ll continue to receive a monthly bill, and all meters follow nationally recognized accuracy standards (ANSI C12).

Will the new advanced meter change my bill?
Over time, some older meters can slow down, which can cause the meter to under-read consumption slightly. Advanced meters are calibrated and tested for accuracy. After installation, your bill will reflect your actual measured usage. RPU will not make adjustments or back-bill customers for any prior usage that may have been under-registered by an older meter. You will only be billed for what you use.

How often is usage recorded or sent?
The meter records usage and sends it periodically in short messages. The exact frequency can vary by meter type and system settings.

Can I see my electric and water usage data myself?
Yes. You can view your electric and water usage data on our customer portal, RPU Connect. RPU Connect lets you review your usage history so you can better understand patterns and spot unusual usage.

If I’m enrolled in Service Assured®, will anything change with advanced metering?
No. Your coverage and benefits under Service Assured® will stay the same. If there are any issues with your meter socket, the expanded coverage under Service Assured Electric will often protect your investment.

Electric outages and water leak awareness

How do advanced meters help the utility respond to service issues?
For electric service, Advanced Meters can improve outage awareness by providing more timely information about where outages may be occurring, which can support faster restoration. For water service, advanced meters can provide more timely usage information, and continuous usage patterns can be a sign of a leak.

Data privacy

What data is sent to the utility?
The meter sends usage readings and meter status information needed for billing and utility operations.

Is my energy and water usage data protected by Minnesota law?
Yes. As a municipal utility, RPU customer data is governed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13. RPU takes our obligations to data privacy seriously.

What data do you not collect?
The meters do not record conversations, store audio or video, or access personal devices, home Wi-Fi, or the internet in your home.

Can you tell what appliances I’m using?
The advanced meter measures overall usage over time. It does not directly identify specific appliances.

Will RPU be able to control anything in my home or business?
No. The advanced metering system does not allow RPU to control any devices or systems inside your home or business.

Do you sell customer usage data?
No. Customer data is used for legitimate utility purposes such as billing, operations, reliability, and customer service.

Will the advanced meter interact with my thermostat?
No. While RPU offers a BYOD Thermostat program, it is separate from the metering system and does not communicate with your electric meter.

Will my advanced meter compromise my privacy?
No. All advanced metering data is subject to the same strict data privacy and security standards that apply to other personal information collected by RPU.

Will advanced metering work if I have solar panels?
Yes. The advanced meter will continue to measure the electricity you use from the grid and the excess solar energy you send back, just like your current meter. Most customers with solar have two meters: one for their main service and one for solar production. Both will be replaced as part of this project.

Cybersecurity and data protection

How is my data protected?
Meter data is protected using security controls appropriate for a utility system, including encrypted communications and controlled access so only authorized personnel and approved service providers can access it for legitimate utility purposes RPU also follows its obligations under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act for how customer data is handled and shared.

Could someone hack the meter and get my information?
Like any modern technology, security is a core design requirement. We use layered security controls and monitor systems to reduce risk and respond to issues.

Radio frequency questions

Do advanced meters use radiofrequency energy?
Yes. The advanced meters use very low-power radios and communicate in short transmissions rather than continuously.

How does the radio signal compare to a cell phone?
A widely cited Electric Power Research Institute summary estimates that a cell phone during a call at the ear is about 1 to 5 milliwatts per square centimeter (mW per cm squared), while an advanced meter at about 3 feet during transmission is about 0.0001 to 0.002 milliwatts per square centimeter (mW per cm squared) depending on assumptions. That means a cell phone call at the ear is typically hundreds to tens of thousands of times higher than being a few feet from a transmitting meter.

What does that comparison mean in practical terms?
Assuming the advanced meter transmits once every four hours in short bursts, about 10 seconds total per event, standing about 3 feet from the Advanced Meter continuously for about four years would produce roughly the same radio frequency exposure as a one-hour cell phone call held to the ear.

Safety

Are advanced meters safe?
Yes. Safety is a priority. Installers follow required procedures to ensure proper installation, and we address unsafe conditions before completing an exchange. Advanced meters meet safety standards set by major health, regulatory, and utility organizations.

Can an advanced meter cause an electric fire?
Any electrical connection must be installed correctly. Our process focuses on proper installation and addressing unsafe meter bases or other unsafe conditions before the meter is installed.

Service rules and refusing and advanced meter

Can I refuse an advanced meter?
No. Advanced metering is our new standard system, and we do not offer an opt-out. Our current meter system is designed to be read through radio communications on our network, not through separate on-site reading, and operating a separate alternative would be significantly cost-prohibitive for customers.

What if I refuse?
Having a utility-supplied and utility-owned advanced meter at your property is a condition of service. If we are unable to install or access the meter needed to provide service, we may be unable to start or continue service at that location under our service rules.

Questions, concerns, and troubleshooting

What if I think the advanced meter is inaccurate?
Contact us. We can review your usage history, check for changes in usage patterns, and explain how the meter records consumption. If needed, we can test the meter following our standard procedures.

What if my bill is higher after the advanced meter change?
A higher bill is most often related to usage changes such as weather, equipment, household changes or, for water, a leak. We can help you compare usage before and after, and we can help you look for continuous-use patterns that may indicate a leak.

Who can I talk to?
Customer Care can be reached at customercare@rpu.org or 507-280-1500 for billing or usage questions. For more technical questions, please reach out to amiops@rpu.org.