Estimated meter readings and catch-up bills
A catch-up bill can include consumption from earlier periods. Its entire usage figure may not describe a change in this month’s habits.
Find the last actual reading
Check reading status, meter serial number, dates and any multiplier. An estimated reading is a billing assumption rather than a fresh observation. Keep consecutive statements so you can reconcile the interval from the last actual reading to the next actual reading.
Reconcile quantity before money
In a fictional electricity account, the last actual reading is 10,000 kWh. Two estimated statements each bill 200 kWh. The next actual reading is 10,750. Actual consumption across the full interval is 750 kWh; after 400 kWh has already been billed, 350 kWh remains to reconcile. That remainder is not proof that the home used 350 kWh in the final month alone. At a constant illustrative USD 0.20/kWh, its energy charge would be USD 70.
Read reversals alongside replacements
A supplier may reverse estimated charges and issue replacement lines. Rate changes, taxes and tier allocations can make the cash correction more complicated than remaining units multiplied by today’s price. Ask for the dates and quantities used in the rebill. Do not add reversed charges to their replacements.
Record a dated meter value if safely accessible, without opening sealed equipment. Check the serial number against the account. Send the supplier the reading sequence and ask how previously billed units were deducted. Use the Detective only for comparable current-period charges; annotate corrections separately so that a later monthly comparison does not mistake them for recurring use.
Worked example: Compare an estimated statement with a catch-up read
Related reading: Why your utility bill changed
Reference: PSE&G: meter readings and estimated bills.