Residential Utility Accounts with Multiple Meters

While a single meter per residential address is the norm, several scenarios can lead to a utility account having multiple meters linked to the same residential address. These situations often arise due to specialized billing, regulatory requirements, property configurations, or specific utility programs.
Here are the primary scenarios where a residential utility account may encompass multiple meters:

1. Separate Services for Distinct Loads (e.g., EV, ADU)
   It's increasingly common for properties to have more than one meter to segregate different types of energy consumption. For instance:
   1. Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargers: Some utilities offer specific, often lower, rates for EV charging. To qualify for these rates and track EV consumption separately, a dedicated EV meter might be installed alongside the primary residential meter.
   2. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): If a property has an ADU (e.g., a detached garage apartment or basement unit) that is rented out or used independently but remains on the primary homeowner's utility account, it might be metered separately for tracking or sub-billing purposes.
   3. Well Pumps/Irrigation: In rural or semi-rural residential settings, a separate meter might be installed for a well pump used for irrigation or a dedicated agricultural load, often on a different rate structure than the primary residential service.
   4. Outbuildings/Workshops: A large detached workshop, barn, or other outbuilding with substantial power requirements might have its own meter, especially if it qualifies for a different commercial or agricultural rate, even if billed under the same overarching residential customer account.
2. Meter Replacement or Retirement
   When an old or faulty meter is replaced with a new one, or if a service is temporarily disconnected and reconnected, there might be a period where both the old (retired) meter and the new (active) meter appear on the account records. The retired meter's readings would reflect its final usage before replacement, while the new meter begins tracking from zero. This is a transitional scenario.
3. Multi-Unit Buildings Under a Single Owner's Account
   In some cases, particularly with smaller multi-unit dwellings like duplexes, triplexes, or small apartment buildings where the owner occupies one unit and manages the others, all units might be billed under a single master utility account. Each unit, however, would have its own meter to track individual consumption, allowing the owner to monitor or sub-bill tenants. Additionally, common areas (hallways, laundry rooms) might have a separate meter also linked to the owner's account.
4. Multiple Service Types at One Address
   A common and fundamental reason for multiple meters under a single residential account is the provision of different utility services. While often overlooked due to its prevalence, a single residential address will typically have:
   1. Electric Meter: For electricity consumption.
   2. Gas Meter: For natural gas consumption (if the property uses natural gas).
   3. Water Meter: For water consumption.
      Each of these distinct services requires its own meter to accurately measure usage and facilitate billing, even though they all fall under the same residential customer's account for that address.

Identifying Multiple Meter Scenarios

Here’s how you can typically identify which of the above scenarios leads to a multi-meter account for your use-case:

1. Service Address: While all meters might be at the same residential address, some bills might specify sub-locations or descriptions for each meter if they are for distinct units or outbuildings. For example, service address might indicate "Unit A," "Unit B," "Garage," or "Well Pump."
2. Rate Codes or Tariffs: Each meter's consumption is typically billed under a specific rate code or tariff. Different rate codes on the same bill for the same service type (e.g., two different electric rates) are a strong indicator of specialized metering.
3. Consumption Breakdown: The consumption recorded by each individual meter can help identify distinctions between the meters especially in a meter replacement scenario.
4. Service Type Differentiation: Most bills clearly separate charges by service type (electricity, natural gas, water). If your bill includes sections for "Electric Service," "Gas Service," and "Water Service," each with its own meter reading and charges.

Below table describes how the various scenarios causing multi-meter accounts would be impacted by these factors.

Below table describes the best way to identify which scenario caused the account to have multiple meters for your use-case: