Sometimes Georgia Power can't read your meter—due to access issues, equipment problems, or staffing constraints. When this happens, they estimate your usage based on historical patterns. Understanding estimated reads helps you spot potential billing issues.
How Estimates Work
When Georgia Power estimates your meter, they use:
- Your usage from the same month in previous years
- Recent usage trends
- Weather-adjusted calculations
The goal is to approximate what you likely used. However, estimates can be significantly off if your usage patterns have changed—new appliances, different occupancy, home improvements, etc.
Identifying an Estimated Bill
Your bill will indicate if the reading was estimated. Look for:
- "Estimated" or "EST" next to the meter reading
- A note in the bill details section
- Unusually round kWh numbers (estimates often end in 0)
If you have a smart meter, estimates should be rare—smart meters transmit readings automatically. Frequent estimates with a smart meter may indicate a communication problem.
What Happens Next
Estimated reads are trued up when an actual reading occurs:
- If the estimate was too low, your next bill will be higher
- If the estimate was too high, you'll get a credit
This can cause confusing bill swings. A low estimate followed by an actual read can make it look like your usage doubled, when really you're just catching up.
If Your Estimate Seems Wrong
You can request a re-read or provide your own meter reading:
- Read your meter yourself (instructions on Georgia Power's website)
- Submit the reading through your online account
- Or call customer service to request an actual read
If you believe multiple estimates have compounded into an inaccurate bill, request a billing review. Georgia Power can reconstruct your usage from smart meter data if available.
Smart Meters and Estimates
Most Georgia Power customers now have smart meters that transmit readings automatically. With a smart meter, estimates should only occur if:
- The meter loses communication temporarily
- There's a system outage during billing
- The meter malfunctions
If you're seeing frequent estimates with a smart meter, contact Georgia Power—there may be a technical issue that needs resolution.