About Reading Your Meter
Meter Access
The customer is responsible for providing Pepco access to their meter in order to read it, test it, disconnect it, remove and/or replace it. Customers must make certain that there is a minimum of 48 inches of clearance around the meter box. No permanent obstructions – such as trees, bushes, or walls – may be placed in front of the meter. If reasonable access is not provided, service can be disconnected until access is provided. Also, applicable reconnection fees and other outstanding charges must be satisfied.
Meter Readings
We schedule your meter to be read at approximately the same time each month. However, if our meter reader cannot obtain access to the meter, a meter-reading postcard may be left for you to complete. Your bill states the type of meter reading used to bill the account. If a customer reading is not received, your bill will be estimated.
If a postcard is left at your home, please record the meter reading on the postcard and mail it promptly, or call in the reading to Pepco’s recorded Read-A-Meter line, (202) 872-3377. You may request a supply of postcards by calling (202) 833-7500.
How to Read Your Meter
To read your electric meter, look at each dial from right to left, as you face the meter. Note that alternate dials move in opposite directions. This is important for accuracy.
Look at the example below. Start with dial A on the right and read to dial D on the left. If a pointer is clearly between numbers, record the smaller number. If however, the pointer is between 9 and 0, record 9. If a pointer is close to or exactly on a number, look at the dial to the right. If the pointer on that dial has not reached zero, record the smaller number. In the example shown, the pointer on dial C has not reached zero, so the reading for dial D is 4, not 5.
Some customers have time-of-use meters with dials and digital displays. Other customers may have electronic meters with digital displays only. For more information about these meters, call (202) 833-7500.
Estimated Readings
If a Pepco meter reader is unable to access a customer’s meter, or the meter-reading postcard is not received in time, we will estimate your bill. We also may estimate your bill if the meter reading is significantly higher or lower than your normal use (indicating the possibility of an error in the reading).
