Meter Information

Identifying and Reading Meters

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Overview

Your monthly bill from Xcel Energy is based on your electric and/or gas usage as measured by the meter in your home. Meters are read either manually, by an Xcel Energy Meter Reader, or by our Automated Meter Reading system. In both cases, your usage is recorded and used for billing purposes.

Locate an Electric Meter

Electric meters are usually placed on the siding at the rear or side of your home.

Locate a Gas Meter

Gas meters are usually a few feet from the ground.

Reading a Digital Meter

If you have a digital meter, and would like to read it yourself, simply write down the numbers that appear in the digital window.

Reading a Dial Meter

Follow the directions of the dials to read the number on each dial.

Meters Located Inside or in a Hazardous Location

Homeowners with inside meters or whose meters are in a hazardous location are eligible to enroll in the Meter Reading Window Card program. With this program, we will send you the Meter Reading Window Card along with instructions on how to use it. You set the dials on the Window Card to correspond to the dials on the meter, and display the card in your window on the appropriate date. The meter reader will record the information through the window of your home or garage. See FAQ for additional information on reading a meter, or feel free to call our customer contact representatives with any questions at 1-800-895-4999.

Estimated Reading

A number of factors can lead us to have to estimate the reading on your meter. Such factors may include weather or equipment problems with our hand-held or large-scale computer systems that record meter readings.

Meter Reading for Your Final Bill

If you have any questions regarding the meter reading for your final bill, please contact us at 1-800-895-4999.

Colorado Residents, Please See Your Meter Reading Options for Your Final Bill

Instructions for Your Meter Reader

It helps our meter readers to know if you've changed any conditions at your home and we appreciate the information. Such conditions may include: the acquisition of a dog in your yard or that you moved your meter during a construction project. If any conditions have changed at your home that you feel we need to know about, please call us at 1-800-895-4999. We'll add the information to your account and make it available to our meter readers.

Colored Tags on Your Meter

The color coding of meter tags varies by state. A red tag typically means the meter has been locked for non-payment. A green or gray tag means the meter is in normal working status.

Additional Questions and Feedback

Please contact us at 1-800-895-4999 with additional questions and comments. The feedback you provide to us will be relayed to our Meter Reading Management department.