First Energy Smart Meter Installation

First Energy Corporation, parent company of Jersey Central Power and Light has begun deploying smart meters in New Jersey. Smart meter replacements are scheduled to begin March of 2025 in Washington, New Jersey and June of 2025 in Phillipsburg, New Jersey according to their Smart Meter Installation Schedule.

These smart meters will allow the power company to read your meter remotely via a secure local Wi-Fi network. This will effectively eliminate estimated readings. In the future customers will be able to access their home's energy consumption history online. The company expects to be able to respond more quickly to power outages in the future by being able to see groups of electric meters go down in real time.

Customers will be notified that the area is scheduled for work approximately one month in advance. One week prior to the date of meter replacement customers will be advised of their appointment. On the day of your appointment if you are not home the installer will leave a door hanger notifying you that the work has been done or needs to be scheduled at another time.

As part of the First Energy Smart Meter Installation program the power company will inspect your meter enclosure, which is customer owned and maintained. They will notify you of any repairs that need to be made by an electrical contractor. This contractor will need to create a workorder with the company, apply for a permit from your municipality, perform the repair, get the repair inspected at which time the municipality will notify the power company of the passed inspection.

JCP&L has established guidelines and helpful information about common Smart Meter Repairs which will need to be addressed by the homeowner or account holder in partnership with a licensed electrical contractor.

Common deficiencies are strained sockets being pulled off of the building by earth movement, damaged jaws, loose jaws, damaged service cables/conduits and service attachments pulled off of the building. All of these issues will need to be addressed whether a smart meter was installed or if they were unable to install a new meter due to the deficiency. Partner with McCaffrey Electrical Contracting to correct these issues.

Customers can opt out of smart meters for a monthly fee, but the repairs will still need to be made.

Daniel McCaffrey

Mc Caffrey Electrical Contracting LLC

(908) 818-0460

Phillipsburg, NJ

NJ LIC#18728