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 Maintenance Task:  Verify accuracy of utility meter readings

The following is a procedure for providing a quick check to verify that you have not been over-billed for services that you have not used.  For your electric, gas, and water meters:

1. Write down the meter number and readings from each meter.  Many meters now have digital readouts where you can see the actual numbers of the meter reading.  If your meter has dials, write down the number of each dial.  If the needle is in between two numbers, look at the dial immediately to its right.  If that number is approaching the zero, then take the lower of the two numbers on the dial you are reading.  The dials are made to work together and the one to the right must go past the zero before the one on the left can register the next higher number.

2. Compare the readings you recorded to the meter reading on your bills.  They should be reasonably close but higher than those on the bill.  Remember that you are reading the meter several days or weeks after the utility company did so and, therefore, likely have consumed more service since their reading.

3. If the meter reading you recorded is vastly different then the meter reading on your bill, the meter may have been changed since the time of the bill.  Check the meter number on the bill to see if this is the case.  If so, watch your bill next month to verify that the meter change is reflected and verify the meter reading at that point.

4. If there has been no meter change and your meter reading is significantly higher than that on the bill, then you may have been overcharged for service.  

In addition, you should examine each bill and ensure that you were charged the appropriate rate (cost per unit of service) based on the type of equipment you have in your house or building, and times of day that you used the services.  For example, most utilities have different rates for residential customers, commercial customers, customers with and without heating equipment, customers with and without air conditioning equipment, and reduced off-peak rates for usage when demand is lower (i.e., evenings, weekends, and certain seasons).

Reading and verifying your own meters can help identify energy cost savings from meters that were misread by your service company.  Examining your bills can help you identify potential mis-charges and potential opportunities for discounts that may be available to you.