Meter Accuracy
Your utility meters have been tested and checked for accuracy prior to installation. The meter can be read without touching it or any of the wiring and/or plumbing around it. GUC’s Meter Readers collected 1,401,235 readings last year, with an amazingly high accuracy rate of 99.9984%. Customers often ask if we estimate meter readings. Click here to learn more.
Reading Your Meter
Keeping an accurate record of electrical and gas consumption helps you know how much energy is being used in your home. To do this, read the electric and gas meters regularly (daily, weekly or monthly) and write down the number on the dials in your records.
In this example, we’re using an electric meter. Electric meters measure the amount of electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A typical electric meter has four or five dials, each numbered 0 through 9. The dials are read left to right and should be recorded in the same order. Please note that some hands move clockwise and others move counter-clockwise, but all hands move in numerical order 0, 1, 2, 3, etc.
- Read the dial on the left and record the number.
- Continue reading the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th dial and record the numbers.
- Determine energy use by subtracting the previous reading from the present reading.
Usually, the pointer on a dial will be between two numbers. Always read the lower of the two numbers. The meter reading above is 5139 kWh.
Gas meters measure the amount of gas used in hundred cubic fee (ccf). They are read in the same way.
The amount of energy you have used can be determined by subtracting your first reading from your last reading. Want to know more? Click here for an Information Sheet with a tracking chart.
Energy Theft & Meter Tampering
Energy theft affects all of us. Meter tampering and energy theft are hazardous. In most instances where energy is being stolen, dangerous situations have been discovered. Attempting to bypass or tamper with electric, gas or water meters can result in serious injury or death from fire, explosion or electrocution. There are shock and fire hazards not only to the thief, but also innocent family members, friends, neighbors and GUC employees. Even if the danger does not occur at the time of the theft, the meter is often left in an unsafe condition that is potentially dangerous to others.
When utilities are unlawfully consumed, the reality is that honest, paying customers are the ones who suffer. Just as shoplifters drive up the price of merchandise in stores, those who tamper with meters to get “free” energy drive up energy costs for everyone.
Greenville Utilities is serious about protecting our customers from the dangers and increased costs caused by energy theft. Our employees are trained to detect signs of meter tampering and energy theft. They can also use computer analysis of metering data to further determine energy theft. Those individuals caught stealing energy are subject to immediate disconnection of service, civil collection proceedings and the possibility of criminal prosecution that can result in a fine, imprisonment or both.
How You Can Help
Anonymous tips from customers are an important means to investigating potential energy theft. If you notice any of the following, it could indicate meter tampering and/or energy theft:
- A person other than a GUC employee working on a meter.
- A person other than a GUC employee digging near underground lines or tampering with overhead power lines.
- Someone talking about how low their energy consumption or energy bills are because of by-passing their meter.
- An upside-down meter.
- A cut or missing meter seal.
- A meter missing from the socket while the lights, heat or air conditioning are being used.
- A meter socket bypassed with jumper cables.
If you notice any suspicious activity or a meter that shows signs of tampering, you may call us at 551-1479. And remember, we want your information; not your name.
Working together, we can reduce energy theft, and reduce the risk of danger and minimize energy costs for all of our customers.