How to Read Your NIFL Gas Meter
Northern Indiana Fuel & Light meter readers read meters on or around the same date every month. Occasionally, unusual circumstances, such as severe weather, bad road conditions, locked gates, and unfriendly dogs, prevent us from reading your meter. When this happens, we will calculate your bill based on your past energy usage. If you wish to avoid a calculated bill, you can easily and quickly provide us with a reading of your meters. Most meters have either four or five dials with pointers.

Follow these easy steps:

  1. Always begin with the dial to the far right.
  2. Record the last number the pointer has passed, even if the pointer has almost reached the next number.
  3. Follow the same procedure for each dial. Note that as you move from right to left each dial rotates in the direction opposite the one before it. If the first dial rotates clockwise, the next will rotate counterclockwise, the third clockwise and so on.
  4. The four- or five-digit number you record is all we need to measure your energy use for the month.

An example of your gas meter is shown below:

If the pointer is between two numbers, use the smaller number.
(Note: 0 is higher than 9 but lower than 1.)

If you have any difficulty reading your meter, please call us at 1-888-643-5427.

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Meter Readings and Your Gas Bill

Look for the Service Summary section on the front of your gas bill. Here you'll see how much gas you used during the billing period for which you're being charged. Your bill shows the amount of gas used by subtracting the previous reading from the most recent reading.

Your bill also provides other useful information related to your meter readings that can help you manage your energy use . . . and cost!

  • The number of days in the billing cycle
  • Whether the reading was an actual reading our meter reader obtained, provided by you, or estimated based on the history of gas usage at your service address for the same period last year and current weather conditions
  • A Gas Use History chart that allows you to compare this month’s usage with last month and the same month last year, or for as long as you have lived at your current address if less than 13 months
  • Comparisons of average daily temperature and usage for the current month, last month, and the same month last year

You will find instructions on how to read your meter and definitions of common terms regarding your gas meter in the left column of your bill under Gas Meter Information.

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Keep Clear Access

Be sure to keep clear access to your meter dials for our meter readers to get an accurate reading. While you’re working on your lawn in the summer, be sure to trim bushes and trees around utility meters. And while you’re shoveling snow in the winter, be sure to clear snow and ice from the meters and service line connections for clear visibility. Protect your meter from heavy snow and ice that might fall from overhangs and eaves, as well.

If you’re adding new plants to your landscape, be aware of their potential size and growth pattern. New plants placed close together might look great while they’re still young, but can become a jungle as they grow.

Fencing can also make an attractive addition to your property, but be careful to keep the meter dials in easy site if you try to camouflage meters and pipes.

Pets can prevent our meter readers from getting access to the meter, too. Note the date of your next scheduled meter reading on your monthly bill and be sure to keep pets restrained away from the path to the meter that day.

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Protect Your Meter

Your outdoor natural gas meter and equipment are designed to withstand winter weather conditions, but heavy or hard-packed snow and ice, icicles falling from your eaves, or water dripping from your roof and freezing on your meter can present a safety hazard. To avoid problems, follow some basic tips:

  1. Keep your meter clear of snow and ice.

    Make sure your meter is visible at all times and accessible for maintenance and emergency responders, like NIFL service personnel, meter readers and firefighters. Never let snow completely cover your meter. Don’t shovel snow up against your meter. Take care in using a snow blower or plow near your meter. NEVER kick or hit the gas meter or its piping to break away built-up snow or ice. If you think there’s a potential problem, call NIFL.

  2. Keep your eaves troughs clear.

    Drifted snow or Icicles hanging from your roof and gutters, water dripping from your roof, or freezing rain can create an icy build-up on your gas meter and connections. Remove icicles and heavy snow from overhangs. Protect your meter from dripping water which would freeze on meter piping.

  3. Keep air supply ducts and vents clear.

    Keep vents unobstructed and free of debris - some direct-vent and high-efficiency appliances have side wall vents and air intakes that could become obstructed during heavy snow fall. Gas equipment requires air for safe combustion and venting of appliances. Know where your air supply ducts are and keep them free of snow and ice. Check that your chimney or roof vent is clear. Why is it so important to keep your meter clear?

Accumulated snow places stress on your meter piping, and damage to the piping can cause a gas leak. In case of emergency, emergency response crews need clear access to your meter. Blocked regulator vents may result in abnormal pressure, affect appliance operation, and interrupt service.

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Copyright © 2007. NIFL.
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