Have you checked your meter today?

If for some reason you were away from home for much of today, you may not know that a National Grid subcontractor paid you a visit.

The occasion was to swap out your old electric meter with a new "smart meter," as mentioned in mailings from National Grid earlier this summer.

The power company says, "These smart meters incorporate proven, sophisticated technology which will improve service and reliability, while also giving you more control over your energy usage; faster, near real-time energy readings, and an overall faster response. Smart meters are part of our ongoing commitment to empower our customers while working to build a more reliable, robust, and climate-friendly energy grid for the future."

You can get all the details online in such categories as:

• More control over usage
• Faster, near real-time energy readings
• Faster reporting of power failures

P.S. I spoke with the technician from UPA (Utility Partners of America), who told me his company was subcontracted by National Grid to replace about 3 million meters. "Luckily, it only takes a few minutes per meter or we'd still be doing it 20 years from now," he said.

P.P.S. You may experience a brief interruption of electrical service when the meters are swapped, so be sure to check your digital devices (clocks, electronic clocks on stoves, microwaves, etc.) to be sure they're properly set.

---