Eversource is rolling out smart meters in Massachusetts, and every existing meter will be swapped out. As of late 2025, Western MA was the first to see the swap, and they’ll continue to move east across the state. The whole project is projected to take about three years to fully complete.
Eversource says smart meters will help enhance service, give you better insight into your energy use, and modernize the grid. In simple terms, you’ll have a better understanding of your bill, faster problem-solving, and a smarter system.
So what exactly is a smart meter? Think of it as a digital upgrade with wireless communication. Instead of someone showing up to read your meter, it sends information to a network device, then on to Eversource. More than 76% of electric meters in the U.S. already work like this, so Massachusetts is just catching up to the game. These meters can even tell when something is off and help explain why, which makes repairs easier.
Once yours is installed, you’ll get more insight into your electric account through your online portal. You’ll be able to see projected bills, track high energy use, get high bill alerts, and start or stop service remotely. Outages can be reported automatically, too, which should make restoration a little faster.
The installation part requires just about nothing on your end. About three months before, Eversource starts sending letters and emails letting you know your meter is being upgraded. More reminders come at two months and one month. You’ll get a text or email a couple of days before crews show up, giving an estimated timeframe for the swap. They work area by area, so there is no exact appointment time. If your meter is outside, you don’t even need to be home. Eversource says you might notice a short outage that lasts no more than five minutes, then you’re back in business.
There is an opt-out option for some residential customers who qualify. But it comes at a bit of a cost. Those who qualify and opt out will be charged a $34 monthly reading fee and a possible $42 otime time swap fee. If you choose to have a non-communicating meter, you won’t be able to access the smart insights through your online portal. To check if you’re eligible to opt out, you can find your classification on page 2 of your Eversource bill.
Installs are slowly making their way to Eastern Massachusetts, so keep an eye out for further communication from Eversource in the coming months. If you have any questions about your setup, 128 is happy to help.
