Smart meter service provider BXC – now re-activating smart meters across Emfuleni – has categorically rejected rumours that its meters are more expensive than other pre-paid meters.

This assurance was given by BXC Project Manager Dawid Dirks this week in anticipation of bulk-buying of electricity by Emfuleni consumers whose previously-installed smart meters are being reactivated.

Dirks also released the findings in this regard of an independent accredited laboratory specialising in testing meters to support his contention that smart meters were indeed not more expensive than other pre-paid meters.

The tests were conducted recently on request of the SE3 community in Vanderbijlpark prior to reactivations there, said Dirks.

Dirks also again sensitised smart meter consumers that certain banks also loaded on-line transactions only the next working day over public holiday periods.

With December 27 now also an official holiday, Dirks advised smart meter consumers to buy electricity on-line at least a full day before any public holiday.

But should consumers run out of electricity, they can still buy directly from BXC vending points which will load immediately, even on a public holiday.

These BXC direct vending points are:

• Three Rivers Vereeniging: Euro Spar – corner Genl Hertzog and Assegai
• Three Rivers Extension 2: Total Four Way Motors; corner Gen Hertzog and Blackwood
• Vanderbijlpark: BP Boulevard Motors – corner Frikkie Meyer and Jan van Riebeeck (CBD)

BXC, now a wholly-South African owned company, is reactivating smart meters at present in SE3 Vanderbijlpark for ELM after having completed a similar successful project in Three Rivers.

Dirks says BXC smart meters are loaded only with approved Nersa (National Energy Regulator of SA) tariffs and these meters are quality-controlled both in factory and before reactivation on site.

Compared to a normal STS meter – where consumers will see units lessening – smart meter users will see actual loaded amounts in Rands and cents lessening.

“On the smart meter system for example, you will see how much money you have spent so where you previously on a normal meter might have seen 30 units going off you now will see between R48.30 to R90.00 going off depending on which tariff block you are in currently,” said Dirks.

Power usage reflected in money rather than unit numbers made it easier for customers to see and control their accounts more effectively – and giving more control to consumers was exactly what BXC intends, said Dirks.

• Call the BXC Call Centre on 087 147 2580 – available 24/7