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Traditional Meters

Traditional Meter

To send you an accurate bill, your traditional electric meter needs to be read each month. Below, you’ll learn more about the meter reading process.

All meter readers wear a photo identification badge. Always ask to see the badge to make sure the person is a DTE Energy representative. You should deny access to anyone claiming to be a utility representative who does not display an identification badge.

We've also changed our meter readers' uniforms. DTE Energy meter readers in many communities have new high-visibility orange or yellow uniforms. The new uniforms promote safety by making our meter readers more visible to traffic and pedestrians.

All meter readers within the city of Detroit are now wearing the new uniform. Some meter readers in other communities are continuing to wear their traditional DTE uniforms. These existing uniforms will be replaced periodically.

 

If your meter is located outside, our meter readers won't need to enter your home or business. However, please remember to secure any pets and clear a path to your meter. This means removing any obstructions, including snow and ice, that are blocking access to your meter.

If your meter is indoors, and we haven't installed a remote reading device, the meter reader will need to enter your building. If we arrive to read your meter and it’s inaccessible, don't worry. We'll leave a note on your door with instructions to schedule a visit time that works for you.

Occasionally, it may be necessary for us to estimate your reading. This estimate will normally be based on your usage in the same period of the previous year. Any discrepancies will be adjusted the next time we read your meter.

If you miss a scheduled indoor meter reading, we may call you to request that you read your own meter. You can report your reading by following the instructions below or by calling DTE Energy Customer Service at 800.477.4747. Please report your meter reading no more than five days after your scheduled visit.

You can also email us your meter reading to mymeterread@dteenergy.com. In the body of the email, you must include the following information:

  • Customer name
  • Service address
  • Date of meter reading
  • Photo of the meter

To read your meter, you'll need to know whether it is a digital or dial meter. If it's digital, the recording process is as simple as reading the odometer on your car.

Digital Meters

Digital electric meters alternate between a test display and the actual reading. Record the number accompanied by the letters kWh, which indicates your usage. For example, the reading below is 25368.

To read a digital natural gas meter, enter the numbers in the black boxes on the front of the meter.

Dial Meters

Dial meters have four or five dials, each resembling a small clock face, numbered in opposite directions. The pointer inside of each dial indicates one number of the meter reading. Please refer to the image below for instructions on how to read your dial meter.
 

Reading a Dial Meter

 

Your outdoor meters and equipment are designed to withstand extreme winter weather conditions, but don’t forget to protect them from ice and snow build-up during the harsh winter months.

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 keep DTE customers and employees safe and to ensure continued efficient, reliable utility service, customers should:

  • Keep an access path to meters open and clear of snow
  • Do not strike meters with snow blowers, blades or shovels when removing heavy snow or ice build-ups
  • Do not shovel snow up against your meter
  • Remove icicles from overhangs
  • Keep dogs restrained or located away from the meter