Electric company meter reading

[Jake Platt]

I put up a security gate requiring a code at the entrance to my property 6 months ago but the electric company has never requested access to read my meter. I have an old fashioned non-digital meter that cannot be seen from the road.

My bill references a specific KWh usage. How does the power company know how much power I am using? Seems they can't.

Thanks.

 

[Jake Platt]

I should add there is no wireless transmitter on the meter so they are not rearing it wirelessly.

 

[Danger]

Welcome to PF, Jake.
I suppose that you don't live where I do (most people don't ), so this might not apply to you. In my area, utility usage (mainly gas) is estimated monthly and then verified a couple of times a year by manual meter reading. Also, it's sometimes averaged over the year to even out the payments rather that walloping us with a $300 bill in December while we pay almost nothing in summer.
Why not just call the Customer Service number of your supplier and ask?

 

[russ_watters]

You should read the meter yourself and verify if the bills are accurate. If they aren't, they are being estimated.

 

[alphy]

As a scientist, it is important to understand how the electric company measures and records your energy usage. While it may seem concerning that the electric company has not requested access to your meter in the past six months, it is likely that they use other methods to accurately determine your energy usage.

One possibility is that the electric company uses a process called estimation. This involves using your past energy usage data to predict your current usage. They may also take into account factors such as weather patterns and seasonal changes to make a more accurate estimation.

Additionally, the electric company may also use smart meters or advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technology. These digital meters can communicate wirelessly with the electric company, providing real-time data on your energy usage. This eliminates the need for physical meter readings and allows the electric company to track your usage more efficiently.

It is also worth noting that your bill references a specific KWh usage, which means the electric company has a record of your energy usage. This information is most likely obtained through one of the methods mentioned above.

In summary, while it may seem like the electric company cannot accurately determine your energy usage without physically accessing your meter, there are other methods and technologies in place to ensure accurate billing. If you have any further concerns, it is best to reach out to your electric company for clarification.