Eversource Advances Smart Meter Technology Rollout Across the Valley
By Sam Ferland | February 9, 2026
In a significant modernization effort, Eversource is replacing traditional electric meters with advanced "smart meters" across thousands of homes throughout the Valley region. This initiative is part of a statewide project aiming to upgrade over 1.5 million meters by the end of 2027, enhancing customer insight into electricity usage and contributing to environmental benefits.
Transitioning to Smarter Electricity Monitoring
Beginning last summer, Eversource, which supplies electric services to approximately 1.6 million customers across 159 Massachusetts communities, launched a phased installation of smart meters. As of January 2026, the utility has installed 100,000 smart meters, with recent installations carried out in Easthampton and continued deployments in towns including Northampton, Amherst, and Hadley.
Luis Pizano, director of Smart Meter Operations at Eversource, emphasized how these new meters transform the way customers monitor their electricity consumption. “With these smart meters, we’re building infrastructure that makes it much more efficient and beneficial to the customer,” Pizano noted.
Unlike traditional analog meters that require monthly manual readings via vehicles driving through neighborhoods, the smart meters transmit usage data continuously through a secure radio frequency system. This continuous communication allows Eversource customers to access detailed daily—and even 15-minute interval—electricity usage reports through their online accounts. Pizano likened the upgrade to “transferring from an analog phone to a smart phone” in terms of efficiency and capability.
Environmental and Operational Advantages
The smart meter project is expected to yield notable environmental benefits. Currently, Eversource must dispatch an extensive fleet of vehicles monthly to collect data from older meters, incurring costs related to fuel, vehicle maintenance, and greenhouse gas emissions. With smart meters transmitting data remotely and automatically, the need for these vehicle trips will be drastically reduced, lowering the company’s environmental impact.
Customer Adoption and Safety Considerations
Residents receive notice 90 days before a scheduled smart meter installation. Customers who prefer to retain their existing analog meters may opt out; however, this choice incurs a monthly charge of $34. State legislation is under consideration to prohibit additional fees for customers opting to keep non-transmitting meters and to require utility companies to obtain written consent before installing smart meters.
Concerns have been raised regarding exposure to radio frequency (RF) emissions from the meters. Eversource maintains that the RF levels emitted are safe and remain well below national health guidelines. Importantly, smart meters do not transmit personal information such as customer names or addresses. The devices operate on private networks and do not require customers to have Wi-Fi.
Statewide Modernization Efforts
The rollout follows approval by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities in 2022 for a $668 million modernization budget covering advanced metering infrastructure for Eversource and other regional utilities. This project aims to maintain a modern and reliable electricity grid by replacing aging analog meters with new technology that has been in use nationwide since 2006. Eversource began installations in western Massachusetts due to lower existing smart meter coverage and is expected to complete this phase shortly before expanding to denser eastern areas such as Boston and Worcester. The utility anticipates project completion statewide by the end of 2027. “This is about maintaining a modern grid and giving customers information and efficiencies they previously did not have,” Pizano said. “We’re continuously replacing aging meters, and smart meters represent the future of electric utility service.”
For More Information
Customers interested in learning more about the smart meter project, opting out, or managing their energy usage can visit the Eversource website or contact customer service.
Photo Caption: Wayne La Fleur, an employee of Eversource, installs a smart meter at a business in Hadley on February 5, 2026. (CAROL LOLLIS / Staff Photo)
Sam Ferland covers Easthampton, Southampton, and Westhampton for the Daily Hampshire Gazette and is committed to bringing news and perspectives from the Valley region.
