Black Hills Energy will start in April converting gas meters to remotely read meters

Starting this spring, new technology will allow Black Hills Energy to record how much natural gas you are using--without having to send out a meter reader.

Black Hills started installing wireless meters on homes and businesses in other communities in June of 2010.  Now the utility is ready to roll out the new technology in Decorah as well.  Starting in April Black Hills will be installing "ERT's" on existing meters, or installing new meters with ERTs in a few cases.  The utility hopes to finish the conversion by mid-summer.

The ERT's collect and store meter reading data and can send and receive metering information via a weak radio signal.  ERT's include a tamper alarm to identify meters that have been tampered with. The ERT has an expected 20-year battery life.

 The Fixed Collectors use communicate with the ERT's, using weak radio waves.  Collectors are being installed on new utility poles and can also be used in vehicles owned by Black Hills.  The Fixed Collectors will use solar panels for power.  The Collector's range depends on a number of variables, but they typically can pick up the ERT signal from one to two miles away.

Once the monthly meter readings are collected, they are sent to Black Hills' billing system.  Company officials say the new wireless meter reading technology delivers greater efficiency, an improved billing process and more immediate, accurate service transition when a customer moves.
 
Black Hills Energy officials say the new technology reduces the number of vehicles used to read meters, meaning it is environmentally friendly and reduces gasoline and maintenance costs.