Indiana Michigan Power in process of installing smart meters in Fort Wayne

Published on December 10, 2021 by Dave Kovaleski


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© Indiana Michigan Power

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is in the process of installing smart meters in Fort Wayne with the goal of putting in 195,000 by the end of 2022.

Since September, I&M crews have already installed nearly 30,000 smart meters in the area. By the end of January, the company will have installed 57,000 on its way to 195,000.

I&M has launched a robust marketing campaign utilizing social media, radio, billboard, and newspaper advertisements to inform and educate customers about smart meters. Officials have also been in direct communication with Fort Wayne-area residents on when, specifically, they can expect their installation to occur.

“The new smart meters are part of Indiana Michigan Power’s ongoing commitment to help meet the evolving expectations and needs of our customers,” Dave Isaacson, vice president of Distribution Region Operations for I&M, said. “Smart meters give our customers more control over their daily energy usage, can help create smart energy habits, aid in power restoration, and smart meters are overall more convenient.”

Nearly 75,000 I&M customers, including 45,000 in Indiana and nearly 30,000 in Michigan, already use smart meters. This is part of I&M’s multi-year effort to upgrade more than 580,000 meters to smart meters across its two-state territory.

Smart meters use wireless technology to provide customers with more options and control over their energy usage. Smart meters allow customers to monitor their energy usage 24/7, in dollars and kilowatt-hours (kWh). Further, customers can set budget alerts to be informed when their bill reaches a certain amount, enabling them to cut back on usage. It is similar to how cell phone companies send data usage alerts.

I&M officials said there would be a short interruption to service during the installation, but customers do not need to be home during the installation. Once the installation is finished, a notice will be on the customer’s door. There is no charge to the customer for the installation.