Automated Meter Read
We have installed Automated Meter Reading (AMR) electronic devices on our natural gas meters in Monmouth County.*
An AMR is a small transmitter attached to your natural gas meter that allows us to "read" your meter without a trip to your premises. Each month, your natural gas bill will reflect your actual usage, eliminating the need for you to submit your own meter read. Your natural gas bills will reflect monthly actual reads, which means fewer estimated bills.
*Note NJNG may need access to your property in the event the AMR malfunctions.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure — Your Questions Answered
If we recently notified you that we are installing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to your meter, below we answer some of your most frequently asked questions.
AMI Frequently Asked Questions
Advanced Metering Infrastructure — also referred to as AMI — is an upgrade to your natural gas meter that reflect your real-time natural gas usage and automatically and securely sends the data directly to NJNG’s billing system. AMI improves meter reading accuracy for a more reliable bill.
AMI allows natural gas usage information to be automatically and securely sent to NJNG’s billing system without the need for a manual read. The safety and reliability of your natural gas service will not be affected by this upgrade.
There will be no change to your natural gas service.
NJNG regularly invests in infrastructure improvements to deliver natural gas safely and reliably to your home. The benefits of AMI include:
- Improved Meter Reading Accuracy – AMI will provide a more efficient meter read process. Your natural gas usage information will be automatically and securely sent from your meter to NJNG’s billing system, reducing the need for a manual reading.
- Enhanced Customer Experience – Relying on real-time natural gas usage information instead of manual reads will allow us to better assist you. Plus, you will not have to make special arrangements for manual meter reads as may have been the case previously.
- Increased Reliability – Capturing your real-time natural gas usage will result in decrease estimated bills and enhanced billing accuracy.
Yes. If your meter is being upgraded with AMI, you will receive a letter and/or email notification with the details of our visit prior to installation.
On the day of the AMI installation, a NJNG employee and third-party contractor will knock on your door as a courtesy to let you know we are on the premises and will be upgrading your meter. NJNG employees always carry official company photo ID and drive commercial vehicles clearly marked with our company name and logo.
The upgrade of your meter with AMI is expected to take place the week of June 24, 2024, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. You do not need to be present for the installation.
If we are unable to upgrade your meter and you are not home, we will leave a note on your door with our contact information so you can schedule an appointment for us to complete the work.
You do not need to be home if your meter is located outside and accessible.
If, for some reason, we are unable to complete the work and you are not home, we will leave a notification on your door with our contact information so you can schedule an appointment for us to complete the work.
Yes. You can read your meter the same way as before. Once the AMI is installed and operational, NJNG will be able to securely read your meter remotely and no longer need to do manual meter reads or require you to submit a meter read. We anticipate remote meter reading to begin in late 2024.
We anticipate remote meter reading to begin in late 2024. Until then, NJNG’s meter readers will continue to access your property over the next several months to read your meter.
Customer privacy is important to us. NJNG will use natural gas usage information primarily for billing. The information will not be shared outside of NJNG.
NJNG’s in-depth security controls are based on National Institute of Standards and Technology guidelines and frameworks to establish robust security protocols and ensure compliance with industry standards. Key security design components include:
- Meters connected to private networks and inaccessible directly from the internet.
- Communication from the meters is encrypted with industry standard protection.
- AMI is designed to transfer natural gas usage information safely and securely back to NJNG’s billing system and cannot remotely turn natural gas service on or off.
No. The AMI will only collect your natural gas usage information for billing purposes. The AMI on your meter will not collect, store or transmit any personal information.
No. The AMI product NJNG is installing does not have the capability of remotely disconnecting your natural gas service. In addition, the product cannot monitor appliance usage or how appliances are used.
In instances where your service is scheduled to be turned off due to a customer’s request or nonpayment, NJNG will not disconnect service from a centralized location or remotely
Participation is voluntary and not required. Please contact 800-221-0051 to opt out.