Meter Reading
Meter Reading: The Basics
Find out when your next meter reading is, how to read a meter and provide a reading to us.
Submit Your Meter Reading
It's easy to share your meter reading with us. Enter a reading or upload a photo of the meter in My Account - 24/7!
What you need to know about meter reading
Here are some quick tips regarding your meter.
Check your bill to find the date for your next scheduled meter reading. If your meter won't be accessible on that date, you may submit your own meter reading up to three days beforehand.
If your electric meter is outside, you don't need to be home for us to access your meter. However, please ensure that all pets are confined on the scheduled meter reading date. For safety reasons, NEVER tie a pet to a meter at any time. Please make sure to remove any obstacles such as toys or tools that may prevent us from reading your meter. Trim back any plants or bushes that are growing near your meter so we can safely access the meter without injury and avoid damaging your plants.
If your meter is inside, or only accessible through a locked gate, the PSEG Long Island meter reader may need your help to access the meter. If you will not be home on your scheduled meter reading date, you may leave a key with a neighbor or loan one to us. We will keep it in a secure, confidential file. (Call 800-490-0025 make arrangements.)
Always ask to see identification before allowing anyone to enter your home. Every PSEG Long Island employee carries an identification card. Look for the employee’s picture, name and company name on the card. If you suspect someone is impersonating a PSEG Long Island employee, call 911 immediately and report the incident.
How to read an electric meter
If your meter is outside, you'll probably find it mounted on an exterior wall near where the electric line connects to your home. If you cannot find it outside, it may be mounted inside your home. Indoor electric meters can often be found in a basement, garage, laundry room, porch, attic, or closet. Your electric meter will either have a digital display, or it will have dials. (See the examples below.)
I have a digital meter
Simply read the meter and submit the numbers you see, including any zeroes. This meter reads 44546 kWh
I have a dial meter
Record the number that the arrow is pointing to on each dial. This meter reads: 12490 kWh
IMPORTANT! When you read a dial meter, remember:
- When the hand on a dial is between two numbers, record the lower number, EXCEPT if it is between 9 and 0, then record it as 9.
- Record every number (including any zeros).
- When providing the reading, report the digits left to right.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. If you are billed on a time-of-use rate, you have a special type of meter that must be read by a PSEG Long Island meter reader. Not sure if you have a time-of-use rate? Check your bill to see if you're billed as rates 181, 182, 184, or 188
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Submit a meter reading to us up to three days before your scheduled reading to avoid an estimated bill.
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If you are a tenant in a residential building, you are not obligated to pay for electric service for any area outside of your own dwelling unit. Each dwelling unit should be connected to its own electric meter. PSEG Long Island will investigate if you suspect that you are paying for service used by others, which is known as a "shared meter" condition. A summary of New York State’s Shared Meter Law is available here
. For more information, please call us at 1-800-490-0025. -
Electric theft is unsafe – and it’s a crime! People who interfere with electric lines and meters are endangering themselves, their families, their neighbors, and first responders who may respond to an emergency. If you suspect electric line or meter tampering, call us at 800-490-0025. You do not have to give us your name. All information will be held in strict confidence.
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We schedule meters for replacement on a regular basis to ensure all units provide accurate readings. There is no charge for this service. Service will be briefly interrupted while the meter is changed.