Frequently Asked Questions
About Rock Energy’s Meters
Rock Energy Cooperative's new AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) system required the installation of new meters. This upgrade helps us operate more efficiently, improve reliability, and serve you better. Here are some questions you might have about the changes.
Our previous Automated Meter Reading (AMR) system was state-of-the-art when it was first implemented but was no longer supported by the manufacturer. The AMR meters were installed in our Wisconsin territory during the late 1990s, and Illinois members received the meters in 2009. The new AMI meters collect and transmit data faster and more reliably.
The new AMI meters, made by Sensus, collect energy consumption and power quality data and then transmit that data to the co-op via radio frequency communication. The previous AMR meters used power lines to transmit data. If a power line went down during an outage, communication with the meter was lost. The new meter automatically reports outages, voltage variances, and other line conditions without depending on the power lines.
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Improved efficiency—Reading all meters, residential and commercial, remotely is more cost effective than having employees drive to remote locations every month.
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Improved reliability—Our outage management system determines outage locations more reliably, which results in a faster response time.
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Improved power quality—The new system reports variances in voltage and other line conditions that help us maintain a more reliable power distribution system.
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Improved member service—You can receive more timely information about your energy consumption to help you make wise decisions about how you use energy. We can review that data to help you address any high-bill concerns.
Your new meter records energy usage at 15-minute intervals. You can log on to SmartHub to view this information, which allows you to pinpoint your usage during various weather conditions and different times of the day.
Rock Energy reads the meter remotely from our offices. Information from the meter is transmitted to the co-op via a licensed, encrypted, secure system. The collected data includes usage readings, voltage levels, and outage/blink information.
Yes, in most cases. The new meters report outages, voltage variances, and other line conditions without being prompted by our office. However, Rock Energy still recommends that you report your own outages by phone to ensure that your outage is documented.
No, our system meets criteria set by the Federal Communications Commission and should not interfere with any equipment inside a home or business.
Yes, the metering data is transmitted via a licensed, encrypted, secure system. No personal information about members is stored inside the meter, and it cannot identify or control individual appliance usage. Instead, the meter records whole-house energy usage just like your previous meter.
You can call us at 866-752-4550 or send us an email.
There are multiple different ways you can receive your usage/consumption history:
SmartHub: Most usage/consumption history associated with your account can immediately be found using SmartHub? If you do not have a SmartHub account, you can sign up by going to www.rock.coop and clicking on the red SmartHub button (top of site).
On-Line Request: If you would like to receive a history of your usage without using SmartHub, fill out the on-line form: FORM To receive a summary or detailed history of your consumption history, please complete the form in its entirety and submit it on-line.
Regular Mail or Drop Off: Mail the filled out form (on our web site) to:
Rock Energy Cooperative
RE: Consumption History Request
P.O. Box 1758
Janesville, WI 53547-1758
Or, you can drop off the completed form at one of our offices in Janesville or South Beloit, IL (15229 Willowbrook Rd.).