How to Read Your Meter
By reading your meter on a regular basis you can monitor the amount of electricity you are using and gauge your energy saving efforts. Our goal is to give you greater control over your home energy and to provide you with the tools and information you need to keep your electric bills down.
- Electric meters measure use of electricity in units called kilowatt-hours or kWh.
- 1 kWh is 1,000 watts used for 1 hour.
- An FKEC digital kilowatt-hour meter displays the usage on a liquid crystal display (LCD). It records usage in the same manner that a car’s odometer records mileage. You read the numbers from left to right.
- After you have read your meter, subtract the previous reading from the present reading. The difference between the 2 reflects the number of kWh of electricity you have used.
Meter Information
Supply of Meters
- The measurement of electric service is by meters installed, owned, and maintained by the Cooperative.
- The Cooperative will select the type and make of metering equipment, and may, from time to time, change or alter the equipment.
- FKEC installs meters that are read electronically. Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology typically eliminates the need for FKEC personnel to enter a member’s property to read the meter each month.
- However, access to the meter may be required from time to time.
- By requesting service from FKEC, you are granting 24-hour access to your meter for meter reading, maintenance, vegetation management, and emergencies.
- It is the member’s responsibility to see that no hazards or impediments exist to prevent FKEC field personnel from safely accessing the meter. FKEC employees and contractors will, upon request, show credentials and state the reason for requiring access.
Special Measurements
- For the purposes of measuring the demand, collecting interval data, or for other measurements of all or part of a member’s load, the Cooperative may, at its option and its own expense, place demand meters, load survey meters, or other instruments and equipment on the premises of any member.
Meter Accuracy & Testing
- It is rare that a meter is found to run fast and record an increased usage. Like most other machines, meters tend to slow with age.
- The performance of an in-service watt-hour meter is acceptable when the meter does not creep, and when the average percentage registration is not more than 102% nor less than 98% at full and light load.
- To maintain a high standard of accuracy the Cooperative, at its own expense, performs periodic tests and inspections of its meters in order to verify they are operating within these parameters.
Meter Testing
- If you feel your meter is not operating properly, you may contact FKEC to request a meter test.
- If the meter is found to be operating within the acceptable parameters, a fee of $30 for a single-phase meter and $40 for all 3-phase meters may be assessed to cover the expense of the meter test.
- If the meter is found to be operating outside the acceptable parameters, no fee will be assessed
- If the meter is found to be slow, no additional billing will be made.
- If the meter is found to be fast, appropriate credit adjustments will be made to bills rendered 6 months prior to the meter test.
Meter Tampering (Illegal Diversion of Power)
- Only an authorized representative of the Cooperative may remove meters, meter seals, connections, or any property of the Cooperative on or about a member’s premises.
- Tampering with metering or electrical equipment is illegal, dangerous, and costly to all FKEC members.
- Whenever evidence of tampering is found, the member will be subject to penalties as provided in the Florida Statutes, Section 812.14, and responsible for the estimated cost of energy consumed while the meter was not operating properly due to the installation of the diversion devices.
- This includes tampering with the meter or with any wiring, electric equipment, or instrumentation between the line side of the meter and the electrical distribution system, which would result in the diversion or non-registration of electric energy, and/or the installation of meter seals other than those installed by FKEC on member’s meter.
- Such tampering may be deemed to be cause for disconnection of electric service and/or legal action and criminal prosecution as provided in Section 812.14, Florida Statutes.
- Whenever these conditions are found at a member’s premises, service personnel will correct the condition by installing a new seal and/or other associated equipment, as required, and the meter will be tested to assure that it is operating within the prescribed limits of accuracy. Additional fees will be incurred.
- If you suspect someone is tampering with a FKEC meter or other electrical equipment, please contact our office at (305) 852-2431 or (800) 858-8845. Reports will remain confidential.
Comparing Electric Bills
- There is no way to compare your utility bill with friends and neighbors because you do not use your electric energy the same way. No 2 families own all the same appliances, do the same washing and drying, have the same hot water usage, use the same lights, or have the same lifestyles.
- If you notice changes in the amount of your electric bill, look at the usage. The dollar amount on the bill depends mostly on the amount of kilowatt hours that go through the meter.
Common Causes of Bill Variations
Conditions Beyond Your Control
- Seasons of the year
- Light variations
- Weather extremes
- Daylight saving time
- Five-weekend months
- Number of days in billing cycle
Changes in Normal Living Conditions
- Size of family
- Average age of family
- Visiting relatives
- New babies
- Living habits change
- Spring cleaning
- Vacations
- Holidays
- Repairs or remodeling
- Hired help
Appliances
- New appliance added
- Use of older appliances
- Frost on refrigerator unit
- Defective appliances
- Shortage of refrigerant
- Excessive use or leaks of hot water
- Clogged air filters