Your electric meter is an accurate way to measure electrical use. Brown County REA meters are tested on a regular cycle to ensure that they are working properly. You can use your meter to help you conserve energy and lower your electrical bills.

Keep a record of your meter readings for each month. By comparing use from one month to the next or for the same month a year earlier you can see if your use has changed. If you have not made major changes in your electrical system and have not added major appliances, but your use has changed it may indicate a problem in your electrical system.

You can also use daily readings to check your use. Daily readings help you keep track of patterns that may develop during the day or week. They may indicate ways that you can reduce electrical use without major changes in how you live.

Take a few moments each day (preferably at the same time) to record the reading on the electric meter. It’s best to start on the 1st day of the month and to keep a record for at least one month.

Subtract the previous days reading from today’s reading to get the total kWh used for the day. Also when you read the meter record any special activities that may have happened in the last 24 hours that may have affected energy use. Add up weekly and monthly totals of energy use. You will see how much--and when your family used electricity.

Your meter is an accurate way to measure electrical use. If you see a pattern of increasing use, try to find out why. Your records of daily use may show you the reason for the larger use. Was the weather colder and an engine heater plugged in? Was there increased laundry? Did you take extra showers?

If you cannot explain increased use from your notes, you may need to call an electrician to check for electrical wiring or appliance problems.