Online Account ServicesAdditional Electric Meter Information
Your meter records the actual amount of electricity you use. We read your meter regularly so we can send you a statement that reflects actual usage. There may be times, however, when it’s more convenient for you to read your own meter.
Helping Our Meter Readers to
Serve You
We work hard to read your meter before we send a
statement to you. Your next scheduled meter reading is
shown on every statement you receive. You can help us to
serve you better by keeping in mind the following:
- If your meter is indoors, make arrangements to have someone available to admit our Meter Reader on the scheduled date.
- Be sure toys, tools, trash or other obstacles that could prevent us from getting a meter reading do not block the area around the meter.
- If there are bushes or plants around your meter, please make sure that they are trimmed so we can safely access the meter without injury to your plants OR ourselves.
- Please confine your pets when the Meter Reader is on your property, and NEVER tie an animal to the meter itself.
- If we need a key to access your meter, consider leaving one with a trusted neighbor or loan one to us. We will keep it in a secure, confidential file.
If we are not able to get a reading, we will estimate your use and issue a statement that will be based on your previous usage history and other factors that could affect the amount of electricity you use. Most estimates are very accurate; however, they only approximate your actual usage. We must read your meter to ensure you are billed accurately. That way, if an estimate is too high or too low, your statement will automatically reflect your actual usage once we read your meter.
Employee Identification
Always ask to see identification before allowing anyone
to enter your home. Every LIPA employee carries an
identification card. To verify employment, look for the
employee’s picture, name and company name on the card.
If you suspect that someone is impersonating a LIPA employee, call your local police department immediately and report the incident.
Winter/Summer Rates
As the season changes from winter to summer, so do LIPA
electric rates. During the winter rate period, the rates are
lower because we can produce electricity less expensively.
The winter rate begins on October 1 and ends May 31. Summer
rates go into effect on June 1 and run through September 30.
Meter Change Program
To ensure that the meters in use in our customers’ homes and
businesses are operating accurately, every year LIPA
randomly removes and tests meters under our Meter Change
Program. Each meter is replaced with a meter that’s been
freshly tested and confirmed for accuracy. There is no
charge for this service. It will only take about 15 minutes
to replace your existing electric meter. Service will be
briefly interrupted while the meter is changed.
Shared Meters
If you are a tenant in a residential building, you are not
obligated to pay for electric service for any area outside
your own dwelling unit. A dwelling unit is considered to be
the tenant’s living area, or apartment, as well as any area
under the tenant’s exclusive control, or for the tenant’s
exclusive use. LIPA will investigate if you suspect that you
are paying for service used by others. For more information,
please call us at 1-800-490-0025.
Meter Tampering and Theft
Electric theft is unsafe – and it’s a crime! People who
interfere with electric lines and meters are endangering
themselves, their families, their neighbors, and first
responders who may respond to an emergency. You can help
LIPA eliminate such conditions by calling us at
1-800-490-0025 if you know of, or suspect, electric line or
meter tampering. You do not have to give us your name. All
information will be held in strict confidence.
At LIPA, we dedicate ourselves to providing professional services to all our customers and welcome the opportunity to be of service. Feel free to call us at, 1-800-490-0025.
