Are Old Electric Meters Being Phased Out in Texas?
Last updated: October 18, 2026 · 5 min read
Maybe you've heard that utilities are "upgrading" meters, or you're looking at a modern digital unit where a spinning dial used to sit, and wondering whether you're on the hook to keep up. For almost every Texas home, this is settled history — and it's not something you have to manage.
The short answer
Yes — and it already happened. Texas TDUs replaced the old spinning-disk analog meters with digital smart meters across the deregulated market years ago, in a rollout that ran roughly from 2009 to 2013. It was funded through delivery charges, so nearly every deregulated home already has one. You don't own the meter and don't replace it yourself — the TDU does that. If you specifically want an old-style analog meter, you can request one through the state's opt-out, for a fee.
The Switch to Smart Meters Is Already Done
The phase-out isn't something coming down the road — it's largely finished. Between roughly 2009 and 2013, the regulated utilities that own the wires in the state's deregulated areas — Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, and TNMP — systematically swapped out the old electromechanical meters, the ones with the spinning disk behind glass, for digital smart meters. The cost of that program was recovered through TDU delivery charges on everyone's bills rather than an upfront fee. The upshot today is simple: if your home is in the competitive market, it almost certainly already has a smart meter, and there's no looming deadline you need to act on.
You Don't Own the Meter, So You Never Replace It
Here's the part that trips people up. Unlike a water heater or an air conditioner, the electric meter isn't a piece of home equipment you own and maintain. It belongs to your TDU, which installs it, services it, and swaps it out when it ages or fails — at no separate charge to you. That means there's no homeowner "schedule" for replacing a meter, no maintenance you're responsible for, and nothing to budget for. If a meter ever does need changing, the utility handles it; our guide on what to expect at a smart meter install covers how that visit goes.
No More Manual Monthly Reads
One of the biggest practical changes from the switch is that a meter reader no longer walks up to your house each month. Smart meters report your usage to the TDU remotely over a secure network, which is how your smart meter feeds the daily and monthly totals you can view online. For most homes, that means no estimated bills from a missed read and no one needing access to your yard. The exception is if you've deliberately opted out and kept a non-communicating meter, in which case someone still has to come read it by hand. If you're curious how the reporting works under the hood, see our overview of how smart metering works in Texas.
If You'd Rather Have an Old-Style Meter
Some people simply don't want a communicating meter, and Texas does leave a door open. Through the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) non-standard metering opt-out, you can request an old-style, non-communicating meter. It isn't free, though: expect a one-time fee to set it up plus a recurring monthly manual-read charge, since the utility now has to send someone out to read it. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on your reasons and your budget. Our dedicated Texas smart meter opt-out guide lays out the costs and trade-offs in detail.
You can't swap the meter yourself
Wanting a different meter doesn't mean touching the one on your wall. The meter is sealed TDU equipment — never try to remove, replace, or reset it yourself, which is dangerous and against the rules. If you want an analog meter, go through the official PUCT opt-out and let the TDU do the work. If a meter ever looks damaged, call your TDU rather than handling it.
⚡ Your meter is set — is your plan?
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Compare Plans Free →Common Questions
Are old electric meters being phased out in Texas?
Yes, and the switch is essentially complete. Between roughly 2009 and 2013, Texas TDUs replaced the old spinning-disk analog meters with digital smart meters across the deregulated market, funded through delivery charges. Nearly every home in the competitive market already has a smart meter, so there is no pending deadline for you to worry about.
Do I need to replace my electric meter?
No. You do not own the meter, so replacing it is never your responsibility. It belongs to your TDU, which installs, maintains, and swaps it out as needed at no separate charge to you. There is no homeowner replacement schedule and nothing for you to budget or arrange.
Do electric companies still read meters manually in Texas?
For standard smart meters, no — they report usage to the TDU remotely, so no one needs to visit your property to read the meter each month. The exception is if you have opted out and kept a non-communicating meter, which still has to be read by hand for a monthly charge.
Can I still get an old analog meter?
Yes, through the PUCT non-standard metering opt-out. You can request an old-style, non-communicating meter, but it carries a one-time setup fee plus a recurring monthly manual-read charge. The utility still owns and installs it — you request the opt-out rather than supplying or fitting a meter yourself.