FortisBC is continuing our Gas Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project, exchanging existing meters with wireless advanced gas meters. In spring and summer, most customers don’t need an appointment, and technicians can leave gas service off, turning it back on and relighting appliances later. But as weather gets colder, leaving gas service off in a customer’s absence isn’t an option because of property heating needs. Here’s how we’ll proceed as temperatures drop throughout fall and winter.

Advanced gas meter exchange—seasonality is a factor

Booking customer appointments is essential to a successful advanced gas meter exchange process throughout the fall and winter. As these upgrades revolve around energy and heating, seasonality is a major contributing factor to how the work is completed safely.

Throughout the meter exchange process, making sure our customers are comfortable and have peace of mind when it comes to their gas service is a big part of how we serve your needs. That means doing everything we can to minimize interruptions to gas service as we make the exchange, especially when temperatures get colder.

Mark Hynes, contact centre manager, AMI, explains our approach to advanced meter exchanges in fall and winter:

“British Columbia is a diverse province. Seasonality affects each region differently and at different times. This is important to consider when it comes to heating homes and businesses. With that in mind, we’ve recognized the need to approach our gas meter exchange processes differently in fall and winter. Minimizing interruptions and keeping our customers aware of our activities is a priority at all times of the year. But in colder months, leaving gas turned off isn’t an option. Keeping lines of communication open in part by encouraging accurate contact details and arranging appointment bookings is essential to serving our customers’ needs.”

Bringing gas metering into the 21st century

FortisBC’s gas meter technology hasn’t fundamentally changed in more than 100 years. In an age where digital technology and easier access to data helps people make better decisions much faster, upgrading legacy gas metering technology is a logical step. With our Gas AMI Project, we’re making steady progress.

“Wireless meters communicate usage data remotely," says Mark Hynes. “This means fewer visits to customer properties. It means an enhanced customer experience, including better access to information on their usage patterns to enable better cost-effective energy choices for their families and businesses. Another future benefit is that advanced gas meters will have a feature that allows FortisBC to remotely shut off gas services when we’re made aware of an emergency, such as a gas leak, flood, wildfire or earthquake.”

Steps for gas customers in the fall

We’re calling and emailing customers to book appointments in fall and winter to make sure they’re on site when technicians arrive in their area.

Appointments for advanced meter exchanges will range from Oct. 1—Mar. 31 for the North, the Okanagan, the Kootenays, Squamish, and Fraser Valley East. For the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, we're setting appointments from Nov. 1—Feb. 28/29. We’ll reach out to customers to book appointments according to our meter exchange schedule.

To ensure we keep you informed and minimize interruptions—especially during colder months—please take a moment to confirm your contact information on your online account. This helps us reach you with timely appointment information and updates.

Visit our Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project page for more information about what we’re doing and when.

If you have questions, you can email us at [email protected].