Other LanguagesRecently here in Washington there have been problems due to gas and electricity bills. There have been cases where residents are paying their monthly fees, but are being told that their meter has been broken for several months or even years and that they have to pay up for the additional charges, which can amount to thousands of dollars.
There has been controversy over how to deal with this new issue, and complaints can be made towards the Utility and Transportation Commission.
As for you, our consumers of Washington, it’s best to check up on these things before you end up with a huge problem. When you move into a new home, always check to see the meter has been installed and/or is working properly. It would be best to check up on your meter at least every year, but preferably every few months. Our Utilities and Transportation Commission recommends learning how to read your meter, by requesting instructions from your utility company. Also, always carefully look over your gas bills. Puget Sound Energy says that “if you see zeros where there should be a figure for gas usage (it’s usually called the ‘delivery charge’) or there’s no bar graph in the ‘energy usage comparison’ box, there’s a problem.”A sudden drop in your bills can also be a sign your meter might not be working properly.
If you have any suspicion its best to immediately contact your utility. You are also allowed one free meter test per year.