Your Meter

Meter tampering is a crime that eventually affects everyone.

Why? Because theft of electricity increases everyone’s rates. Unfortunately, it’s the honest customers who end up footing the bill – a bill that costs U.S. consumers an estimated $1 to $2 billion each year. Meter tampering, or attempting to bypass or reconnect electric service without authorization, is a crime that can lead to arrest and conviction.

What’s the worst that could happen when someone attempts to steal electricity? The thief and Co-op personnel can be seriously injured. Meter tampering is dangerous, illegal, and costly. In cases of tampering, the Cooperative reserves the right to disconnect electric service without notice. Furthermore, the Co-op requires costs for the stolen electricity, investigation of the case, and damaged property to be paid in full before service will be reconnected.

At Sam Houston EC, we take meter tampering very seriously and train our personnel to track down and stop energy thieves. But you can help, too. If you suspect someone is stealing electricity, please report it immediately to Sam Houston EC.

Give us a call at (800) 458-0381.

Sam Houston Electric Cooperative tests and inspects our meters regularly to ensure a high standard of accuracy. The electric meter is one of the most accurate measuring devices ever created. If you have a question regarding your meter’s accuracy, however, you may contact the Cooperative to request your meter be tested.

There is no cost for this service, provided the same meter has not been tested at the member's request within the last 4 years. If a meter has been tested within the last 4 years at the member’s request and is found to be functioning properly, a service charge of $75 will be assessed for single-phase meters and $150 for three-phase meters.

It is a rare occasion to find that a meter is running fast. More commonly, as meters get older, they slow down. In these cases, a meter will allow more electricity to pass through it than it records. If a meter is found to be registering over or under 2% of the normal conditions of the member’s electric load, the member’s electric bill will be adjusted up or down to reflect the correction.