Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities are now offering free advanced meters to interested customers. The meters will track up-to-date energy usage information and data for residential and small commercial customers.

LG&E spokeswoman Liz Pratt said the company is prepared to offer 10,000 meters on a first-come, first-served basis. The meters won’t be installed until the fall; after that, the company will reassess the program and determine whether there is sufficient interest to expand, Pratt said.

“The service will be available to up to 5,000 LG&E customers and up to 5,000 Kentucky Utilities customers,” Pratt said. “We plan to monitor customer interest and then take it from there.”

The Kentucky Public Service Commission approved the plans for the meters last November as a part of LG&E and KU’s new and expanded energy conservation plan.

Monitoring daily or hourly energy usage can help environmentally-conscious customers become more efficient consumers.

“These customers would have more updated information about how they’re using energy, and it will help them better understand when they may be using energy most at their home or business,” Pratt said.

All LG&E and KU customers can sign up for the program online.