With some utilities saving hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars using automated meter reading to eliminate costly off-cycle reads, many utilities are looking to jump on the bandwagon.

Indeed, about 30% of utilities use or plan to use AMR to reduce the cost of collecting read ins/outs at apartments or other transient residences, according to AMR for Transient Customers, a new report from Atlanta-based Chartwell Inc.

This is one AMR application that provides a proven and relatively hard return on investment. Many AMR systems can provide on-demand reads, enabling utilities to obtain a customer’s last meter reading without sending an employee to the site, thus improving efficiency and decreasing costs. It generally costs utilities $10 to $20 to send a serviceman to read the meter each time a customer moves. And with the constant flux of some customers, costs can add up quickly for utilities, especially those in college towns or other locales with an abundance of apartments.

Currently, only about 3% of utilities use AMR for turning customers on and off remotely, a figure that has remained steady during Chartwell’s past three annual surveys of more than 100-plus utilities. However, this use of AMR appears poised for growth. In 2001, the use of AMR to streamline turn-ons and turn-offs for service showed the second-most growth potential among AMR benefits. More than 35% of utilities in 2000 and 2001 reported using, planning or considering the technology for on/off services.

And while those numbers dipped slightly in 2002 – as only 25% of utilities said they are using, considering or planning to use AMR for on/off services – the thought of using AMR for transient customer remains on the minds of many utility officials.

AMR for Transient Customers also concludes that fixed networks, including both wireless and powerline carrier systems, appear to be the most popular type of systems for reducing the cost of special reads. AMR for Transient Customers, which includes a full-length analysis and four case studies, is available from Chartwell for $250. The report is part of The Chartwell Metering Research Series. Membership in the series is available for $2,995 annually. For more information, call 800.432.5879 or 404.237.9099.

Media contact:
Garrett Johnston
(770) 924-2438