How Does the Electric Company Know My Power Usage Without Accessing My Meter?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around how electric companies determine power usage without direct access to meters, particularly in the context of a non-digital meter that cannot be easily read. Participants explore the methods of estimating power usage and the implications of not having a wireless transmitter on the meter.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that their electric meter is non-digital and not visible from the road, raising questions about how the electric company determines usage.
  • Another participant mentions the absence of a wireless transmitter on the meter, suggesting that remote reading is not possible.
  • A different participant describes their local utility's practice of estimating usage monthly and verifying it through manual readings a few times a year, indicating variability in practices across regions.
  • One participant suggests that the original poster should read their meter themselves to check the accuracy of the bills, implying that estimates may be used if the meter is not read directly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on how electric companies might estimate usage without direct access to meters. There is no consensus on the methods used, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific practices of the electric company in question.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential limitations in understanding the electric company's practices, including assumptions about meter reading methods and the variability of utility practices in different regions.

Jake Platt
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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.
 
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I should add there is no wireless transmitter on the meter so they are not rearing it wirelessly.
 
Welcome to PF, Jake.
I suppose that you don't live where I do (most people don't :rolleyes:), 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?
 
You should read the meter yourself and verify if the bills are accurate. If they aren't, they are being estimated.
 

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