Mississippi Power Estimated Meter Read

Sometimes Mississippi Power estimates your meter reading instead of taking an actual reading. When this happens, your bill is based on projected usage rather than measured consumption. Understanding how estimates work helps you know what to expect and when to take action.

Estimated readings are marked with "EST" or "Estimated" on your bill. While estimates are designed to be accurate, they can sometimes result in bills that don't reflect your actual usage.

Mississippi Power may estimate your meter reading for several reasons:

• Access issues: Meter reader couldn't access your property (locked gate, dog, obstacles)
• Weather conditions: Severe weather prevented meter reading
• Smart meter communication: Temporary communication issues with digital meters
• Staffing or scheduling: Occasional operational constraints

Most Mississippi Power customers have smart meters that transmit readings automatically, making estimates less common than in the past.

When Mississippi Power estimates your usage, they typically use your historical consumption patterns. The estimate considers:

• Your usage during the same month in previous years
• Recent usage trends from your account
• Weather patterns and seasonal adjustments

The goal is to produce an estimate that closely matches what your actual usage would be. However, if your usage patterns have changed significantly, the estimate may be off.

When Mississippi Power takes an actual reading after one or more estimates, your bill is "trued up" to reflect actual usage. This means:

• If estimates were too low, you'll see a higher bill to catch up
• If estimates were too high, you'll see a credit or lower bill

This true-up ensures you ultimately pay for exactly what you used, even if individual bills were based on estimates.