Ed from Kansas City. Filed a demand dispute. Utility had the meter tested and came back saying the meter tested within acceptable accuracy standards — 0.3 percent error. They used that to close the dispute. But my client's demand readings are consistently 18 to 20 percent higher than what their equipment should be drawing. A 0.3 percent meter accuracy is irrelevant to an 18 percent discrepancy. How do I keep this dispute alive?
Demand charge dispute — utility said the meter was tested and correct
Paul from Minneapolis. A meter testing within accuracy standards means the meter is not malfunctioning. But an accurate meter measuring the wrong thing is still wrong. The question becomes: what is the meter measuring that accounts for the 18 percent discrepancy?
Ed again. That is exactly my question. The meter is apparently accurate but the readings are 18 to 20 percent higher than the client's equipment nameplate loads suggest.
Paul again. Nameplate loads are maximum ratings, not actual draw. You need actual measured data. Hire an electrical contractor to do a load study with clamp meters on the service entrance conductors during the period you believe the peak is occurring. If that measurement shows 180 kW and the utility bill shows 215 kW you have an independent measurement discrepancy that overrides the meter test defense.
Karen from Boise. Also look at whether there is any load connected upstream of the utility meter that might not be the client's equipment — shared service entrance equipment, transformer losses being added back, or equipment belonging to a neighboring tenant that was incorrectly cross-connected.
Karen the shared service entrance idea is something I had not considered. The building has three tenants. It is possible there is a metering cross-connect.
Karen again. Request a metering diagram from the utility showing exactly what loads are connected to your client's meter. Cross-connection errors do happen, especially in older buildings with multiple service entrances that have been modified over time.