Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I got the idea of this post from reading about calibrating your electric meter.<br /><br />Ever notice that gas pumps, and scales have a sticker from the county auditor? At least they do in Ohio and some other states that I have been in.<br /><br />Why isn't the electric meters, water, and natural gas meters done the same way? I would think this would make sure that the utility company is not overcharging its customers.<br /><br />How do we really know we are getting what we are paying for? For now, most have to have confidence in their utility company to be honest.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

I agree. The old "fox guarding the henhouse" analogy comes to mind. But it would cost a ton of money to get all those meters calibrated.<br /><br />See my post in non-boating technical topics.<br /><br />We could add our own meters to double check theirs.<br /><br />Ken

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

I have questioned my utility comp. on a few occasions and they always offer to send someone out to check the meter.And guess what they find???? " we checked the meter and The meter is accurate sir"What a surprise...

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

It sure would be nice to know that an independant company that is not bias do the checking/calibration. Of course it should be paid for by the utility. All meters should be changed out yearly to be checked. About all electric/gas/water meters are very easy to change out.<br /><br />I know of times that my house has got zapped by lightning. Never was the meter changed out. And the same old story, they sent someone out and it is okay. To them as long as that wheel can spin inside that meter,,,,,it is okay to them...

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

Of course it should be paid for by the utility. All meters should be changed out yearly to be checked. About all electric/gas/water meters are very easy to change out.

And where does the utility get the money to pay for this? From your bill. Do you have any idea how much it would cost them to check/replace every meter? Millions. The following electric rate increase would cost you far more than a possibly inaccurate meter.<br /><br />It's kinda like the people that want free health care for everyone...it's only free if you don't pay taxes. Nothing is free except garbage.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br />

Nothing is free except garbage.

And it cost to have it removed.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

My company has a double your garbage back guarantee. If you're not 100% satisfied you get double your garbage back!

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

ZmOz, everything is a money issue. I'm just not happy trusting a companys own equipment to measure what I pay for. If the meter is off over 5%, over the lifetime of my residence that can up to thousands that the utility company has obatained legally. If every household has an inaccurate meter, (which how do we really know) how much money is made by them?<br /><br />So ZmOz your saying that we don't need to have meters regulated? Then would you be happy if auditors quit checking the gas pumps accuracy? I know I wouldn't be happy paying for a gallon when I only got an eighth of a gallon.<br /><br />Here is an example that I went through for the last 5 years at this residence. When I moved in the water bill went from about 20 a month to 90. Due to the number in the family at that time it was understandable. As time went on and family members moved out, the water bill stayed the same. I complained and it didn't do any good. The bill still fluctuated between 60 and 90 for the last year here with just my wife and I. Finally I had enough and demaded that the meter be changed. Guess what, they found a problem with the meter! Would you think I would be eligiable for a rebate? Nooooooo! My present bill now runs between 15 and 20 a month which is average for 2 people in a house hold. <br /><br />I can afford the overcharge, but why should I pay for stuff I don't get?

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

It seems to me they could do a "Challange" type of check.<br /><br />If you think your meter is wrong an independent company comes and checks it out. If the meter is within tolerance you pay the contractor. If the meter is out of tolerance the utility company pays.<br />If you are being overcharged you get a refund of some sort. If the meter is under reading then you pony up a bit.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

Originally posted by SS Mayfloat:<br />So ZmOz your saying that we don't need to have meters regulated?

I'm saying it's simply not feasable for them to check every meter every year as you suggest. It would cost a LOT more than a possible overcharge. The idea of the power company doing this for "free" is simply ridiculous, nothing is free as long as you pay them for your power, it would just be hidden in your bill. Remember that your meter is just as likely, if not more likely, to be off in your favor rather than the power company's. If you think your meter is inaccurate there's nothing stopping you from testing it yourself or calling an independant company to come and test it for you.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

Okay, I gave it some more thought. The auditors office I believe does check for accuracy on gas pumps. Why couldn't they be the ones to do random checks on other utility meters? If any is found to be out of tolerance, then a fine would be leveied.<br /><br />Even propane is weighed on scales that are checked by the auditors office. At least they are surpose to be. Around here some are and some get missed. Even with gasoline and propane, a person can weigh or measure for themselves. With water you could measure a cubic foot of water, but with natural gas I have no clue.<br /><br />I agree that not every single device be checked. It could be done randomly for a few years just to see what the percentages are comparing those that are within limits and those not.<br /><br />Parrot Heads idea is good also.

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Utility Meters, are they really accurate?

There is a sort of audit done, on a mass scale. The total read on meters must be close to the total electricity pumped out, minus known losses and variances. I used to work with an electric company and some of this stuff was explained to me, but it's been a while and my brain is old.<br /><br />I'm on a project for a water supplier now, and same thing, they have to account for every ounce of water and reconcile it with what they billed out.<br /><br />In your lifetime, unless you were to live in the same house with a bad meter that reads high, your costs should average out. Meters are quite accurate, with a known tolerance. It would be very strange for a meter to be way off, maybe impossible. There are actually rather simple physics involved.