Top 5 Mistakes Utility Companies Make with Their Gas Meters and How to Avoid Them

Gas meters are the heartbeat of accurate billing and system integrity for utility companies. Yet even the most seasoned operations can fall into costly traps when it comes to meter handling, maintenance, and compliance. At Utilities and Industries, we’ve worked with utilities across the country and seen firsthand how small mistakes can create big problems over time.

Here are five of the most common gas meter mistakes we see and how to avoid them to protect your customers, your revenue, and your reputation.

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1. Skipping Regular Calibration

The Mistake: Assuming that once a meter is installed and running, it's good for the long haul.

Why It’s a Problem:

Over time meters, especially diaphragm and rotary types, can drift out of calibration due to wear and tear, environmental conditions, or internal buildup. This leads to inaccurate readings, customer complaints, and regulatory risk.

How to Avoid It:

Establish a regular calibration schedule based on manufacturer recommendations and local regulations. Partner with a certified calibration lab that can handle volume efficiently and precisely.

Tip: Utilities and Industries provide fast, reliable calibration services with documented accuracy testing and compliance verification including cold room testing for states like New York.

2. Neglecting Cold Weather Accuracy Requirements

The Mistake:

Using meters that have only been tested at room temperature in cold climate service territories.

Why It’s a Problem:

Some meters pass standard tests but underperform in colder environments. This results in under-registration during winter months, hurting revenue and failing to meet state regulations, such as those from the NYS Public Service Commission.

How to Avoid It:

Have meters tested under ambient and 20°F average winter conditions by a certified facility before deployment. This ensures year-round performance and compliance.

Cold Weather Ready: Our climate-controlled cold room replicates winter temperatures to confirm meters perform accurately, no matter the season.

3. Using Inconsistent Repair or Remanufacturing Sources

The Mistake:

Relying on multiple vendors with varying levels of experience, standards, or documentation practices.

Why It’s a Problem:

Inconsistent repair and remanufacturing can lead to unpredictable performance, warranty issues, or a complete lack of accountability when problems arise.

How to Avoid It:

Use a trusted, full-service partner with a proven track record, standardized processes, and transparent documentation. This ensures consistent quality and performance across all your meter assets.

At Utilities and Industries, we refurbish diaphragm and rotary meters to OEM specs or better, with full traceability and testing included.

4. Overlooking the Value of Prover Accuracy

The Mistake:

Assuming that all calibration provers are created equal.

Why It’s a Problem:

Calibrating your meters on outdated or poorly maintained provers can give you a false sense of accuracy, leading to field issues down the line.

How to Avoid It:

Partner with a facility that uses modern, regularly verified provers, like the Honeywell SNAP and Measurement Systems provers used in our shop, for high-confidence results.

Peace of Mind: Our state-of-the-art proving systems are maintained, verified, and fully certified, ensuring you receive truly accurate calibration every time.

5. Delaying Repairs or Holding Inventory Too Long

The Mistake:

Letting unused or broken meters collect dust in storage instead of addressing them promptly.

Why It’s a Problem:

Idle meters lose value over time, may fall out of compliance, or become obsolete. Delaying repairs creates unnecessary downtime and replacement costs.

How to Avoid It:

Send meters in for repair or remanufacture as soon as issues are discovered or assets are decommissioned. Keeping your meter fleet in rotation saves money and maintains consistency.

Fast Turnaround: We offer streamlined repair and remanufacturing services to help you get meters back in service quickly and reliably.

Let’s Avoid These Mistakes Together

At Utilities and Industries, we’ve seen it all and we’re here to help you avoid the pitfalls. Whether you're managing thousands of meters or just beginning to upgrade your fleet, our team can provide the reliable, accurate, and compliant services you need to stay ahead.

Reach out today to schedule a consultation, ask about our meter evaluation program, or learn how we can become your trusted calibration and remanufacturing partner.

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