Welcome to the Orrville Public Utilities Web Site

The electric meter at your home or business is designed to accurately record power usage for decades.

Most meter problems are the result of vandalism, tampering or an accident. If the protective glass cover or the seals on the meter are broken, it may not operate properly. Do not try to adjust or repair the meter. Instead call our Distribution Department at 684-5140. OU will repair or replace the damaged meter.

Keep Meter Area Clear

You can help us cut costs and maintain accurate meter readings by regularly trimming any shrubbery near your electric meter.

OU requests that a minimum of three feet clearance be provided on both sides and in front of residential meters. This space is required for several reasons. It takes extra time to read electric meters hidden behind foliage, and that can increase costs. Also, when OU crews need to do regularly scheduled maintenance, for safety they need the three foot area in which to work in. Lastly, plant roots can wrap around electric service lines and damage them.

If your meter glass is dirty, you can wipe it with a dry cloth. Do not spray the meter with water, it can be dangerous.

Estimated Readings

OU attempts to read all electric meters each month. If a meter is inaccessible for whatever reason, your usage for that month may be estimated. Estimations are made by computer - not the meter reader - and are based on your previous billing history. If the reading is estimated, this will be indicated on your bill.

How to Read Your Meter

OU uses two kinds of meters for determining power usage. One is digital with numbers displayed in four or five windows. If you have such a meter, you simply record the numbers.

However, some OMU meters are dial-type meters that have four or five clock-like faces numbered in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions.

Read and record the dials from right to left, according to the direction of the arrow.

If the pointer is between two numbers, record the lower number (except in the case of 9 and 0, use the 9).
If the pointer is directly on a number, look at the dial to the right.
If the pointer on it is between 9 and 0, record the smaller number, if it is between 0 and 1, record the larger number.
After you have recorded the numbers for each dial, read them from left to right.
To determine how many kilowatt-hours (KWh) you have used, subtract the previous reading from the current reading and multiply the difference by the meter multiplier.

Power Theft

OU customers who take power illegally not only break the law, they cause other customers to pay for the losses through higher electric rates. Anyone tampering with an electric meter also exposes themselves-and OU employees who inspect those meters-to risk of electrocution.

That's why OU investigates power thefts. Our computerized billing system is designed to detect erratic electricity use. OU field employees are trained to spot problems that result in people not being billed for all the electricity they use.

If an altered meter is discovered, OU estimates the losses, and the customer is back-billed. In most cases, the power lost and administrative costs are collected.

People who steal electricity also risk criminal or civil prosecution. In Ohio, convictions can result in stiff fines and jail sentences.

If you suspect someone is illegally taking power, call Customer Service at 684-5080. It will not be necessary to give us your name.

Restraining Pets

You can do a lot to help keep OU employees safe from your pet while our meter reader is in your yard:

Please secure your pet in the backyard.
Keep gates and doors closed.
Fill any holes that might allow your pet to escape from the yard.
OU meter readers may use a nontoxic animal repellent spray to ward off an attacking pet.





	The electric meter at your home or business is designed to accurately record power usage for decades. Most meter problems are the result of vandalism, tampering or an accident. If the protective glass cover or the seals on the meter are broken, it may not operate properly. Do not try to adjust or repair the meter. Instead call our Distribution Department at 684-5140. OU will repair or replace the damaged meter. Keep Meter Area Clear You can help us cut costs and maintain accurate meter readings by regularly trimming any shrubbery near your electric meter. OU requests that a minimum of three feet clearance be provided on both sides and in front of residential meters. This space is required for several reasons. It takes extra time to read electric meters hidden behind foliage, and that can increase costs. Also, when OU crews need to do regularly scheduled maintenance, for safety they need the three foot area in which to work in. Lastly, plant roots can wrap around electric service lines and damage them. If your meter glass is dirty, you can wipe it with a dry cloth. Do not spray the meter with water, it can be dangerous. Estimated Readings OU attempts to read all electric meters each month. If a meter is inaccessible for whatever reason, your usage for that month may be estimated. Estimations are made by computer - not the meter reader - and are based on your previous billing history. If the reading is estimated, this will be indicated on your bill. How to Read Your Meter OU uses two kinds of meters for determining power usage. One is digital with numbers displayed in four or five windows. If you have such a meter, you simply record the numbers. However, some OMU meters are dial-type meters that have four or five clock-like faces numbered in clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. Read and record the dials from right to left, according to the direction of the arrow. If the pointer is between two numbers, record the lower number (except in the case of 9 and 0, use the 9). If the pointer is directly on a number, look at the dial to the right. If the pointer on it is between 9 and 0, record the smaller number, if it is between 0 and 1, record the larger number. After you have recorded the numbers for each dial, read them from left to right. To determine how many kilowatt-hours (KWh) you have used, subtract the previous reading from the current reading and multiply the difference by the meter multiplier. Power Theft OU customers who take power illegally not only break the law, they cause other customers to pay for the losses through higher electric rates. Anyone tampering with an electric meter also exposes themselves-and OU employees who inspect those meters-to risk of electrocution. That's why OU investigates power thefts. Our computerized billing system is designed to detect erratic electricity use. OU field employees are trained to spot problems that result in people not being billed for all the electricity they use. If an altered meter is discovered, OU estimates the losses, and the customer is back-billed. In most cases, the power lost and administrative costs are collected. People who steal electricity also risk criminal or civil prosecution. In Ohio, convictions can result in stiff fines and jail sentences. If you suspect someone is illegally taking power, call Customer Service at 684-5080. It will not be necessary to give us your name. Restraining Pets You can do a lot to help keep OU employees safe from your pet while our meter reader is in your yard: Please secure your pet in the backyard. Keep gates and doors closed. Fill any holes that might allow your pet to escape from the yard. OU meter readers may use a nontoxic animal repellent spray to ward off an attacking pet.
© 2003 Orrville Public Utilities. All rights reservrd. Web site by Snyder Industrial Communications