Customer Services

Your Electric Meter


Follow the process as the PUD moves toward automated meters, or get more information about the manually read meters that have been the industry mainstay for decades.
Automated Metering System

The PUD is planning to switch to automated meters for all customers within the next several years. This will make the PUD more efficient and will provide additional data about power use that customers may find useful. Vendors of automated systems have been invited to submit proposals to the PUD, and staff will be reviewing the proposals and making a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners this fall. More information will be provided as decisions are made. For further information, contact the Customer Services Division, 661- 4379 or e-mail us.

Information presented to the Board of Commissioners so far:

AMS news releases

Reading your meter

Your meter is an important part of your electrial service. It keeps track of how much power is used in your home or business each month in kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity. One kWh of electricity supplies enough energy to light ten 100-watt lamps for one hour.

Meter readers read your meter every month unless it is inaccessible due to locked gates, heavy foliage, unrestrained dogs or inclement weather. Your cooperation in creating a safe working environment is appreciated and will eliminate the need for an estimated bill. When a meter cannot be read, an estimate is made by computer. Any difference between the estimate and your actual energy use is adjusted automatically on your next billing, provided actual readings are obtained.

Two types of meters are used today: digital meters and dial meters. Of the two, dial meters are the more common. Most homes have a dial meter.

To read a digital meter, simply read the numbers left to right, as you would any number.

Reading a dial meter is a little more complicated. Meter readers read the dials from right to left, because each dial influences the other. But the final number you come up with will be read just like any number -- from left to right.

Dials 1, 3, and 5 are read clockwise, while dials 2 and 4 are read counterclockwise. When the hand on any dial is between two numbers, read the smaller number (note that 9 is smaller than 0; when the pointer is between 9 and 0, think of the 0 as "10").  If the pointer appears to be exactly on a number, record the next lowest number unless the pointer on the dial to its right has passed zero.

Try reading this example:

If you got 98491, you're correct.

Questions about your meter? Call Customer Accounting at (509) 661-8002 or send an e-mail.