PSEG-- guessing usage due to interior meter???? What the heck? (new house, bill)

[aussie_rachel]

Just got off the phone with PSEG re: our new house account and their estimated reading. I was told they come to the house once per month and if no-one is home they computer generate the bill because the meter is inside the house.

I have never heard of this??? (Fairly new to NJ and a FTHB). I was told if we wanted an exterior meter we could pay $150 fee.

Is anyone familiar with this? Seems like an easy way for PSEG to overcharge if you ask me!

[findinghope]

and your meter is actually inside? i would definately have the meter put outside and make sure they are not estimating usage anymore. if you see it on your bill again, you have every right to call and ask them to come and read the meter

[billb7581]

You can call the reading in. If they overbill you on an estimated reading, it corrects itself when they get the actual reading.

[aussie_rachel]

Yeah, the meter looks like it's from the 50's when the house was built. It's in the basement.

[billb7581]

Avoiding Estimated Bills (http://www.pseg.com/customer/home/service/meter/estimated.jsp - broken link)

My meter is inside also, but the guy can see it through the window LOL.

I think a lot of people were estimated last month, because of the holidays

If they overbilled you, you'll get "underbilled" next month.. it all comes out in the wash.

[aussie_rachel]

Thanks.
Think we might use those dial cards because we're at work when they come to check the meter during business hours.

[brook2ga]

You can make a Saturday appt for a reading. They will require one reading per year.

[annaegel]

You can use the dial cards, but they still need to see the meter at some point. I am not sure how often they need to see it. Like the others have said, if you over paid one month, you will get that deducted from your bill once they see the meter.

[frankgn87]

I have the same problem and they don't bother to look inside cause its right inside the back door and can be easily seen from outside so I just put in the reading via their website

[Bill Keegan]

Originally Posted by aussie_rachel

Just got off the phone with PSEG re: our new house account and their estimated reading. I was told they come to the house once per month and if no-one is home they computer generate the bill because the meter is inside the house.

I have never heard of this??? (Fairly new to NJ and a FTHB). I was told if we wanted an exterior meter we could pay $150 fee.

Is anyone familiar with this? Seems like an easy way for PSEG to overcharge if you ask me!

Yes, it's very common, and they aren't trying to overcharge you. They need to see the meter to make a true reading, and if you aren't there to let them in, what are they supposed to do? As others have said, they will require an actual reading at least once a year, at which time everything will be adjusted to reflect actual usage.
They shouldn't need to install a new meter. Many houses now have the actual meter inside, with a wire running to a small black box outside that the meter reader can access. It's very small, and doesn't look like a meter at all. I didn't realize that they charge you to get an outside meter display. Try calling them back and asking about that again.