Your electric meter is an accurate measuring instrument that you can easily read. Simply read the dials from left to right.
Record the number that each dial pointer has passed.
Notice that the dials read either clockwise or counterclockwise.
In the illustration, the reading is 17251. If you read the meter a month later and the reading is 18033, the difference between the two readings would be 782. That represents the number of kilowatt-hours used between the two reading dates.

Some customers' electric meters are read by a Minnesota Power meter reader each month. Some customers read their own meters and record their usage on the card enclosed in the bill. If your meter is not read - perhaps the meter is hampered by deep snow and can't complete reading routes, or the customer's meter read card is not returned - we estimate your consumption based on past usage. Actual readings subsequently correct any overcharge or undercharge that may result when an extimate must be made.

If you have a digital meter (cyclometer), read and record the numbers from left to right. The example reads 3550.

Beginning in June 2004, Minnesota Power began an exciting 2-year project that will convert many of our customers to automated meter reading. As long as you live outside the more densely populated areas of Duluth and Cloquet, you will eventually have one of these automated meters.

• No more estimated bills
• More consistent bills since we have an accurate reading every month
• No more having to read your own meter if you were on the customer read program
• Employees will no longer need to enter your home if your meter is inside
• Near daily reads are sent to us to help you figure out when you use your power
• Power outage information that can help our crews restore your power.

You will get a letter 1 or 2 months prior to us changing out your meter to a converted automated meter, which gives you additional information. We also will leave you a door hanger after the installation so you know we were there.

The more densely populated Duluth and Cloquet areas will not be part of this project due to the limitations of the system to serve a large number of customers per main power line. We are looking at other technologies that may lead to automation of these areas in the future.

If you have any questions about the system or the project, please call us locally in Duluth at 218-722-2625 or toll free at 1-800-228-4966 in Minnesota but outside Duluth.