Eversource Smart Meters in Massachusetts: What Homeowners Should Know

If you are an Eversource customer in Massachusetts, your electric meter may be replaced with a new smart meter as part of the company’s statewide rollout.

One thing that may surprise homeowners is that this does not appear to work like a typical service appointment. Eversource notifies customers in advance, but you do not necessarily choose or confirm an installation time before a technician arrives.

So if you skimmed the notice and forgot about it, you may be surprised when someone shows up to replace your meter.

What Is Eversource Installing?

Eversource is replacing existing electric meters with new smart meters across Massachusetts.

According to Eversource, the new meters can automatically send electric-usage information, help identify outages, provide customers with more detailed energy-use data, and support some remote service functions.

You can read more directly from Eversource on its Smart Meter Benefits and Smart Meter FAQ pages.

Will Eversource Tell You Before Replacing Your Meter?

Yes. Customers are supposed to receive advance notice before their meter is replaced.

But being notified is not the same as scheduling an appointment.

The process does not appear to require homeowners to select an installation time or confirm the replacement before Eversource proceeds.

If your meter is accessible, the technician may be able to replace it without you being home or personally approving the work at the door.

That means it is entirely possible to have received notice and still feel caught off guard when the actual installation happens.

Expect a Brief Power Interruption

Because the existing meter has to be physically removed and replaced, homeowners should expect a brief interruption in electrical service during installation.

It is a good idea to save anything you are working on and be prepared to reset clocks or other devices afterward.

Can You Opt Out?

Eligible Massachusetts residential customers can opt out of receiving a communicating smart meter.

But this part is easy to misunderstand:

Opting out does not mean keeping your current meter.

Eversource will still replace your existing meter. If you qualify and opt out, the company installs a new non-communicating meter instead.

So you are opting out of the meter’s communication capability, not the meter replacement itself.

New Smart Meter vs. Opting Out

How Do You Opt Out?

Eversource says customers must first receive the mailed notice about their upcoming smart-meter installation before submitting an opt-out request.

If you are considering opting out, review the eligibility requirements and current instructions directly on Eversource’s Smart Meter Opt-Out page.

As of September 2026, Eversource lists a $34 monthly manual meter-reading fee, and a $42 one-time meter exchange fee may apply.

Because fees and eligibility can change, it is worth checking the Eversource page directly before making a decision.

What Should You Do If You Get a Notice?

If a smart-meter notice arrives, do not assume another appointment request will follow.

Take a minute to read it, make sure Eversource has your current contact information, and decide whether you have any concerns about the communicating meter before the installation window.

If you are thinking about opting out, that is the time to look into it, not when someone is already standing beside your electric meter.

The Biggest Thing to Know

Your existing meter is being replaced either way.

For most customers, that means a new communicating smart meter.

For eligible customers who opt out, it means a new non-communicating meter plus the ongoing manual-reading fee.

Knowing that ahead of time can make the process a lot less confusing when the installer eventually arrives.

For questions about buying, selling, or owning a home in Greater Boston, the Santana Team helps clients navigate not only the real estate process, but many of the practical details that come with homeownership in Massachusetts.

Connect with the Santana Team

Smart-meter procedures, fees, and eligibility can change over time. This article reflects Eversource’s published Massachusetts information as of September 2026. Check directly with Eversource for the latest information affecting your account.