SEATTLE — Seattle City Light customers who got an unpleasant surprise when they opened their electric bills were told last month that cold weather and rate hikes were responsible.
But that's not the only reason for the higher bills, according to the Seattle Times.
City Light said estimated meter readings can also contribute, but the utility estimated many more readings than usual over the winter, Customer Care Director Kelly Enright told the City Council’s energy committee.
Last year, they estimated 2 percent of meters. This year, it was 11 percent. Snow was blamed for keeping meter readers for going to some homes.
The period that 11 percent of meter readings were estimated was from Jan. 20 to March 17.
But as City Light begins to install smart meters this summer that send data directly to City Light, estimated readings will become less common.
In addition, City Light switched to a new billing system last year. The old system would flag a customer’s bill when it was much higher than usual. The new system does not.
City Light said the missing feature could be added to the new system in a few weeks, but in the meantime, concerned customers can have their bills reviewed and any that are incorrect will be resolved.
That may be a big job. Enright said City Light has received five times more complaints than it did last winter.
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