AMI Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about The City of Red Deer’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project, including how the new smart meters work, when installations will take place, and what residents and businesses can expect throughout the upgrade process.

When will my meter be replaced?

The schedule for the meter replacement program can be found on this page.

If you have questions about timing of your meter replacement, please contact the City of Red Deer's time at AMI@reddeer.ca.

I live in an apartment/condo. Will my meter be replaced?

Yes. All housing types will have their meters upgraded. Our team changing out the meters will work directly with property managers to coordinate meter replacements, much like we do currently to read meters.

You will be notified before your building is scheduled for replacement. A neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood timeline will be shared on our meter upgrade schedule page when it becomes available.

How long will meter replacement take?

Meter replacement will be quick and easy, taking only a few minutes. Residents may notice a very brief power interruption.

Will I have to pay for a new meter?

No. There is no charge for the new meter or its installation.

Will the new meter change my billing process or how much I'm charged?

No. Your bill is determined by your energy use. With automated reading, future bills will be based on real-time data that reflects your energy use. The transition to an AMI Meter does not affect your billing process.

Can I opt out of receiving the AMI meter?

We understand that some residents have questions about how AMI works. To discuss your options for opting out of the AMI upgrade, please contact our customer service team by emailing AMI@reddeer.ca.

Opting out will result in a monthly charge of $50. If you wish to opt out, you can fill out the opt-out request form here.

Why are you still doing manual reads after my new meter has been installed?

New meter exchanges will take six to eight months to complete across Red Deer. Some neighbourhoods whose meters were exchanged earlier in the program might continue to be manually read until all meters are completed. 

Are AMI meters safe?

AMI meters are not harmful to your health, and there have been many studies on their safety.

Learn more about safety standards and government requirements here

Learn more about Itron meter electrical safety UL certification here.

View Health Canada's information on meter safety.

How does the AMI meter communicate power use?

AMI Meters communicate electricity consumption wirelessly through a secure two-way wireless network. 

What data is collected?

The data collected by the AMI meter is very similar to what your current electric meter collects. We only collect the data needed to determine electricity consumption. Information is limited to the meter number and the amount of electricity used, it is not connected to your personal information. This data is encrypted to provide additional security. 

The AMI system ensures end-to-end security, safeguarding customer information confidentiality, metering data integrity, and electricity service availability. 

Data will be stored and managed in alignment with City and Federal requirements.

Where can I learn more about the supplier of the AMI meters?

The AMI meters are provided by Itron. For more information on the technology of these meters, visit Itron's information page

Commercial Customers

How will I know when meter exchanges are happening in my area or at my business?

When crews are working in your area, signage will be posted at main roadway access points. A City representative will also place notices on the main entrance and exit doors of your business one day prior to the meter exchange.

If site access is a concern, please call 587-862-0514.