Hand held devices used to read elect. meters

[ilovepcot]

Power and gas (if you use it) companies send a "meter reader" to your home to see how much electricity you've used for the month. I understand the reader no longer walks door to door, but now uses a hand held meter and reads from his vehicle. *Can this meter read through glass, such as a window*?

 

[cassiez76]

idk, but we had to have them install something so they wouldn't have to go in our backyard anymore. they wouldn't knock on our door so they could read it and we don't keep the gate open since we have a dog.

they still walk "yard to yard" here. sometimes they use binoculars to see in other yards.

 

[Kath2003]

Why can't you read them yourself?

 

[ilovepcot]

I'd love if they could install something like they did for you, Cassiez76, and avoid the area altogether.

And Kath2003...they don't trust us!!! Great idea though!

 

[Acklander]

Why can't you read them yourself?

The meter tells the electric company how much to bill you. If I read it myself, my bill would be a lot smaller

 

[Kath2003]

And Kath2003...they don't trust us!!! Great idea though!

If they don't trust you, they should send someone round to read the meters.

Ours come round and read the meters 1-2 times a year. The rest of the time they send "estimates" based on your previous usage. Since we don't like to over/under pay, each time we receive those bills we call in a meter reading and they reissue a correct, accurate bill.

Actually, I check the meters when they send a bill based on THEIR readings so I guess distrust works the other way this side of the Atlantic

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

They installed Smart Meters on the homes here. (It relays the info to the utility company)

 

[ilovepcot]

If they don't trust you, they should send someone round to read the meters.

They do and that's my problem. The meters currently sit at the end of an open carport...easily read by a hand held device from the street. What I'd "like" to do is turn the carport into a storage area, enclosing the carport totally. In order to not spend $15,000-$20,000 (I was quoted that) to move the meters, I'd instead like to install a large glass window in front of the meters IF they can be read through clear glass. No one seems to know if this can be done.


ETA: Yes, I did attempt contacting the power and gas companies to ask them these questions but am unable to reach them.

 

[ilovepcot]

They installed Smart Meters on the homes here. (It relays the info to the utility company)

That's what I'm HOPING can be placed on this house but it's in a tiny little place in an area not progressive AT ALL. I've asked current residents there and they all look like deer caught in headlights when asked.

 

[marlynnp]

Power and gas (if you use it) companies send a "meter reader" to your home to see how much electricity you've used for the month. I understand the reader no longer walks door to door, but now uses a hand held meter and reads from his vehicle. *Can this meter read through glass, such as a window*?

Yes, they use radio frequencies. It's not 'line of sight' like a tv remote.

 

[tvguy]

They installed Smart Meters on the homes here. (It relays the info to the utility company)

Yeah, they've been experiementing with those here. The readings have been so wrong that the California Legislature is actually considering banning them!
To the OP, where is your gas/electric meter? Inside? Never heard of that.
Boy, last thing I'd want is a leaking gas meter INSIDE the house.
It should be outside, so no glass or walls to go through. The meter readers use a receiver, your meter has a small transmitter on it that broadcasts the numbers off your meter.
Around here they all have to be outside, so the fire department can get to them in an emergency and turn off all utlities. My house was built in 1979, and by then the building code required builders to put the electric and gas meters on the front, or front side of the house where they can be read from the front without entering a backyard. My parents house was built in 1960, their meters are on the back and back side of the house.

 

[marlynnp]

Now that I see you added additional info.
Closing in the carport should have no effect. (You will need to check if code allows though) You don't need a window at all. (Unless of course, you're creating some state of the art lead-lined bunker or something, lol)

 

[ilovepcot]

To the OP, where is your gas/electric meter? Inside? Never heard of that.
Boy, last thing I'd want is a leaking gas meter INSIDE the house.
It should be outside, so no glass or walls to go through. .

No, no. Meters ARE outside. I just want to enclose the area (making meters inside) to use as a STORAGE room for expensive woodworking and glass tools (I do stained glass), gardening supplies, riding lawnmower etc. This room would need to be LOCKED. I just wondered if I left the meters *exposed by a clear area of glass* if they could still be accurately read with a hand held meter.

 

[ilovepcot]

Now that I see you added additional info.
Closing in the carport should have no effect. (You will need to check if code allows though) You don't need a window at all. (Unless of course, you're creating some state of the art lead-lined bunker or something, lol)

This is FABULOUS news! Thank you so much!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Yeah, they've been experiementing with those here. The readings have been so wrong that the California Legislature is actually considering banning them!

Ours seem to be good! I think we may be first in the nation for gas, water, and electric. I have no complaints so far. We have had them awhile now.

 

[golfgal]

We have this little box, about 3"x3" maybe, on the side of the house and that is where all the meter readers go to read our various meters. The actual meters for water, gas and electric are in the basement about 2 rooms away from this little box thing. There must be some wires or sensors through the ceiling in the basement or something .

 

[ilovepcot]

We have this little box, about 3"x3" maybe, on the side of the house and that is where all the meter readers go to read our various meters. The actual meters for water, gas and electric are in the basement about 2 rooms away from this little box thing. There must be some wires or sensors through the ceiling in the basement or something .

Hmmm...I like the sound of this, too.

When I'm FINALLY able to reach the gas and power company that service this particular house, I can inquire about all these devices discussed here. Hopefully something convenient will be available for our use.

Thanks!

 

[tvguy]

Ours seem to be good! I think we may be first in the nation for gas, water, and electric. I have no complaints so far. We have had them awhile now.

Some counties have already banned them here.

http://news.santacruz.com/2010/08/27/santa_cruz_county_asks_state_to_stop_pges_smart_meters