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Educational Guide

Smart Meters in Texas

Your meter type determines which electricity plans you can choose from. Texas has three main meter types: AMSR (smart with remote), AMSM (smart without remote), and Standard. Understanding the difference can save you money.

Learn About Meter Types Look Up Your Meter

What is a Smart Meter?

A smart meter (officially called an Advanced Metering System or AMS) is a digital electric meter that records your usage in 15-minute intervals and communicates that data wirelessly to your utility. Unlike old analog meters that required manual reading, smart meters transmit data automatically.

✓ Smart Meter (AMS)

  • • Automatic digital recording
  • • 15-minute interval data
  • • Wireless communication to utility
  • • Enables time-of-use plans
  • • Smart Meter Texas integration

✕ Standard Meter

  • • Manual monthly reading
  • • Total monthly usage only
  • • Requires technician visit
  • • Fixed-rate plans only
  • • No usage data portal

The Three Meter Types in Texas

ERCOT (the Electric Reliability Council of Texas) classifies meters into three categories based on their capabilities:

Tier1 - Best

AMSR

Smart + Remote

Smart meter with remote connect/disconnect capability

✓ 15-min interval data
✓ Remote connect/disconnect
✓ Time-of-use plans
✓ Prepaid electricity
Tier2 - Good

AMSM

Smart Meter

Smart meter without remote connect/disconnect

✓ 15-min interval data
✕ Remote connect/disconnect
✓ Time-of-use plans
✕ Prepaid electricity
Tier3 - Basic

STANDARD

Standard Meter

Traditional meter without smart capabilities

✕ 15-min interval data
✕ Remote connect/disconnect
✕ Time-of-use plans
✕ Prepaid electricity
🔍

Find Out What Meter You Have

Use our free ESIID Facts Tool to instantly look up your meter type. Just enter your address and we'll show you exactly what ERCOT has on file.

Look Up Your Meter →

Plan Eligibility by Meter Type

Your meter type determines which plan types you can choose from:

Plan Type AMSR AMSM Standard
Fixed-Rate Plans
Consistent rate per kWh throughout your contract
 ✓ ✓ ✓
Free Nights / Weekends
Free electricity during specific hours
 ✓ ✓ ✕
Time-of-Use Plans
Lower rates during off-peak hours
 ✓ ✓ ✕
Prepaid Electricity
Pay ahead, no deposit or credit check
 ✓ ✕ ✕
Real-Time Pricing
Rates that change based on market prices
 ✓ ✓ ✕

Why Your Meter Type Matters

🏠

Home Service

  • → AMSR meters can be connected in hours, not days
  • → No technician visit needed for connections
  • → Reconnections after outages are faster
💡

Energy Savings

  • → Access usage data through Smart Meter Texas
  • → Identify when you use the most electricity
  • → Optimize usage to match free hours
📱

Modern Tools

  • → Works with our Live Link feature
  • → Real-time usage spike alerts
  • → Accurate bill credit tracking

Can I Upgrade My Meter?

If you have a standard meter and want a smart meter, contact your utility (TDSP). Most Texas utilities have completed their smart meter rollouts, but some older properties may still have standard meters. Upgrades are typically free but may take time to schedule.

Oncor
oncor.com
CenterPoint
centerpointenergy.com
AEP Texas
aeptexas.com
TNMP
tnmp.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between AMSR and AMSM? ▼
Both are smart meters that record usage data every 15 minutes. The key difference is that AMSR meters have remote connect/disconnect capability, while AMSM meters require a technician visit for service changes. This makes AMSR meters eligible for prepaid electricity and allows faster service connections.
Why do some addresses have standard meters? ▼
Most Texas utilities completed smart meter deployments by 2020, but some properties still have standard meters due to access issues, older electrical systems, or simply not being upgraded during the rollout. If you have a standard meter and want a smart meter, contact your utility.
Can I get a Free Nights plan with a standard meter? ▼
No. Free Nights and Free Weekends plans require a smart meter (AMSR or AMSM) because they need 15-minute interval usage data to calculate which electricity was used during the free hours. Standard meters only provide a total monthly reading.
Why is prepaid electricity only available with AMSR meters? ▼
Prepaid plans require the ability to disconnect service automatically when your balance runs out. Only AMSR meters have remote disconnect capability. AMSM meters require a technician to disconnect service, which wouldn't be practical for prepaid billing.
What is Smart Meter Texas? ▼
Smart Meter Texas (smartmetertexas.com) is a free portal where you can view your detailed usage data if you have a smart meter. It shows your 15-minute interval usage, daily and monthly reads, and historical data. It's a great tool for understanding your electricity usage patterns.
How do I know if my meter was upgraded? ▼
Use our ESIID Facts Tool to look up your address. It will show your current meter type according to ERCOT records. If it shows AMSR or AMSM, you have a smart meter. If it shows Standard or the AMS indicator field is empty, you have a standard meter.

Ready to Find the Best Plan?

Now that you understand meter types, compare plans that work with your meter.

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