WHAT ARE SMART METERS?

Smart Meters are a new way for Malaysians to get their meter readings for a better energy experience.

A Smart Meter is a device that records your electricity usage and communicates this information automatically to TNB via radio-frequency waves for monitoring and billing. They read your daily energy usage and provide more accurate bills for a smarter, greener and more energy efficient future.

Smart Meters can help you keep an eye on how much energy you are using at your premises. By using our interactive myTNB app and/ or the myTNB Portal, you can track how much energy you are using and view how much your electricity bill may reach to make smarter, energy-saving decisions.

WHY SHOULD YOU GET A SMART METER?

1. Smarter Control
• Smart Meters share information with your myTNB App and the Portal so you can track and adjust your energy usage to save money and the environment.


2. Smarter Information
• View half-hourly energy usage updates via the myTNB Portal
• Receive notifications via the myTNB app when your electricity supply is disconnected (available soon).


3. Smarter Payments via the myTNB App/Portal
• Smart Meters continuously read your energy usage to give an accurate bill. You can pay your Smart Meter bill anytime, anywhere via the myTNB app.

PAVING THE WAY FOR A SMARTER, GREENER MALAYSIA

Smart Meters can help you save electricity and money and in turn, save the environment for a smarter, greener Malaysia. Here’s how:

Grid of The Future

Smart Meters form an integral part of the creation of a smart grid, which uses digital technology to manage and supply electricity where it’s needed. Our energy networks will run in a completely new way, helping TNB to improve your customer experience and our services while allowing us to gain better control of the grid and enhance the efficient use of energy.

A Greener Malaysia

You can make an impact towards a greener Malaysia by monitoring your energy usage frequently, in greater detail and by making smarter, energy-saving decisions like turning off appliances, changing to more efficient lighting, adjusting thermostats, buying energy efficient appliances, etc. By conserving energy, we use and produce less electricity, resulting in reduced emissions due to decreased power generation and potentially better air quality for Malaysia.

MYTHS ABOUT SMART METERS

Are Smart Meters Harmful?

No, Smart Meters are safe and don’t pose a risk to health. According to Dr. Azadeh Peyman, Principal Radiation Protection Scientist from Public Health England (PHE), “The level of radio waves they [Smart Meters] produce is typically one million times less than the internationally agreed guidelines.”

They use radio-frequency waves, just like your smart phones and microwaves, and the radiation exposure is miniscule in comparison. In fact, the safest level of radio frequency emissions for humans to be exposed to is 1000 Microwatts per square centimeter. At 10 feet away, the Smart Meter emits 0.1 Microwatts per square centimeter whereas, a microwave oven at 2 inches from door emits 1000 Microwatts per square centimeter.

Rest assured that all TNB issued radio frequency devices, including Smart Meters, are tested and certified by SIRIM for compliance and safety in Malaysia and comply with the safety regulations set and regulated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Can Smart Meters Spy on Me?

Like your traditional meters, Smart Meters do not have the capacity to see, hear and/or spy on you. The Smart Meter simply measures the amount of energy you use in half-hourly intervals and records the meter readings with TNB remotely. You can view this information in real-time via the myTNB Portal to help you better track and manage your energy usage.

Getting Your Smart Meters

Smart Meters can help you save electricity and money and in turn, save the environment for a smarter, greener Malaysia. Here’s how:

• You will receive an Installation Notice via mail a month before Smart Meters are installed in your neighborhood.
• Our technicians will contact you a few days prior to installation to confirm your availability. We recommend that a TNB registered customer/an adult be present during the installation.
• On the installation day, our technicians will contact you when they are arriving and show you their ID card specifying that they are a TNB subcontractor.
• Installation will take approximately 30 – 60 minutes. We will need you to turn off all appliances temporarily.
• Once installation is complete, our technicians will show you how you can monitor and track your energy usage using the myTNB App and/or the myTNB Portal.

If you need to change your installation date or have any questions on Smart Meters in general, contact us at 1-300-88-5454.

FAQ

How much will the Smart Meter and the installation cost me?

The Smart Meter is completely FREE. It will be provided and installed by our certified meter installer without any charges to you.

How is the Smart Meter being powered? Will I be charged to power the Smart Meter?

The Smart Meter is powered directly from your electricity supply. The total power consumed by the meter is confined under the International Standards.

What will I be able to see on my Smart Meter screen?

The following two are what you'll likely want to look at:

• kWh: The energy charge (or the amount you pay for electricity usage/the cost per unit of electricity)
• kW: The total amount you pay depending on usage

How does the Smart Meter work?

The Smart Meter records your electricity usage and sends the information to TNB remotely through selected telecommunication networks.

What happens if my Smart Meter is installed and there is a fault with it?

We aim to give you the best service, but if there is a fault with your Smart Meter, we will assess the issue and repair it or offer you a replacement

To have your meter tested please contact our Careline at 1-300-88-5454.

How will the Smart Meter help me become more energy efficient and save money?

By simply installing the Smart Meter, it will not reduce your consumption. Smart Meters make it easier for you to identify the situations where you are using a lot of energy and this could lead you to making changes in your daily living to reduce it. If you use the information shown on the myTNB app to help manage your energy use, you should be able to reduce your energy costs. Smart Meters also mean accurate bills, so you can be confident that you're only paying for what you've used.

Will changing my electricity usage pattern make a difference?

Yes! In the future, with the introduction of "Time of Use Service", you may be able to further reduce energy bills by shifting their energy use during off-peak periods.

My Smart Meter screen is blank. What do I do?

If your Smart Meter screen is blank, please contact our Careline at 1-300-88-5454.

How would I know if the Smart Meter readings are accurate?

All TNB issued Smart Meters have been certified by the Energy Commission to ensure that it meets all international standards, including accuracy. All meters are calibrated and certified against the Metering Guideline under the purview of the Energy Commission. The Smart Meter is also safe and has been approved by SIRIM & SKMM.

How do you know that the usage information being sent from the Smart Meter is mine?

Every meter has a unique identifier associated with each customer account. When data is collected from a meter and transmitted wirelessly to TNB, the data contains specific unique identifiers associated with the customer’s meter number and service address. Customer and meter identifiers are validated using information from smart meters and customer accounts during the installation process.

Is the Smart Meter safe?

Yes, the Smart Meter is safe and has been approved by SIRIM & SKMM.

Is the Smart Meter network secure?

Cyber security is a top priority for TNB and we take the necessary steps to ensure that the services we provide are secure and follows industry standards.

Cyber security measures and features have been implemented such as data encryption, authentication and password protection in the Smart Meter system and network. TNB constantly assesses the cyber security of our network for gaps and continuously improve our cyber security controls. This is to provide the high level of assurance that our systems cannot be compromised.

The Smart Meters issued by TNB and the networks adhere to the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in Malaysia. Also, the Smart Meters are safe and have been approved by SIRIM & SKMM.

Will I still receive my physical bill after installing a Smart Meter?

Yes, you will still receive your physical bill via mail. At the same time, you can also view your bills on the myTNB app before the physical bill arrives.

Will my electricity bill increase after installing a Smart Meter?

Any changes on your electricity bill may be due to the following reasons:

Inaccuracy of the old meter

The old meter may work inefficiently due to aged components or tampering. An accuracy test will be done on the old meter before replacing with the Smart Meter to confirm its accuracy.

Change in consumption pattern

For example, a change in the weather may result in more or less electricity consumption with the usage of motorised electrical appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, heating appliances, washing machines, water dispensers and others.

To have your meter tested please contact our Careline at 1-300-88-5454.

When will I receive my first bill after installing the Smart Meter?

You will continue to receive your physical bill every month. For any questions regarding your bill, please contact our Careline at 1-300-88-5454.

More questions? Click here to view the full list of Smart Meter FAQs.