Meter Reading
The amount of your electric bill each month is based on the amount of electricity you use. We read your electric meter each month to determine your usage.
If your meter is located in your home or business and our employee has to come inside to read it, please ask to see PUD identification. Our meter readers drive PUD vehicles and wear t-shirts or hats with our name and logo on them.
Remote Meters
We offer remote meters to those customers who would prefer not to have a meter reader on their property each month. They are also used in situations where a meter may be inaccessible to the meter reader. A remote meter generally allows us to read the meter from the street using a radio frequency, although they are not always useable in rugged terrain or over long distances. Customers requesting remote meters must pay for their installation, which costs an average of $90. For more information on remote meters, please contact Steve Kellar at (503) 366-3256.
Estimated Bills
Meters are read to correspond with our billing schedule. Please make the meter readers' job easier by keeping the meter accessible and the area near the meter hazard free. If a locked entrance, dog or other reason prevents our meter reader from reading your meter, we estimate your usage based on your history of electricity purchases. If we estimate your bill, it will be stated as such on your bill. If our estimate is too high or too low, the bill will automatically adjust after the next actual reading. If our meter reader will have difficulty accessing your meter, please call so we can arrange to have the meter read.
Meter Accuracy
Electric meters are extremely accurate. Meters are tested before being installed and then tested on a rotating basis to ensure accuracy. Meters are very rarely found to run fast and record an increased usage. Like most other machines meters tend to slow with age.
If you feel that there is a problem with your meter, we will test the meter for accuracy. Please call our office at (503) 397-1844 to schedule a meter test.
Meter Tampering
Tampering with an electric meter is a federal offense. It is also extremely dangerous.
Only Columbia River PUD personnel are authorized to break or replace a meter seal. If you believe someone is tampering with an electric meter, please contact us immediately at (503) 397-1844 or custsvc@crpud.org.