Utility Bill Estimation
When a meter cannot be read as scheduled, usually due to severe weather or an inaccessible meter, IPL will use an "Estimated Read". Estimated reads are generated by a computer program which calculates the customer's average monthly electricity usage for the previous 12 months. IPL will reconcile the next on-site read to the previous month's estimated read. See the information below to understand how bill estimation works. For more information on the meter reading process, visit Electric Meter Reading.
How is a bill estimated?
When meters cannot be read, IPL's billing system generates an estimated bill based on the customer's usage history.
- Average daily usage is calculated by dividing the consumption by number of days in the billing period.
- To calculate a new estimated reading, the system will use the average daily usage from the previous year and multiply it by the number of days in the current billing period.
- Once the estimated consumption calculation is made, the system will use that reading to bill the customer for the current billing period.
Please see the graphic below for an example bill estimation.
Bill Estimation FAQs
Customers can find out if their bill is estimated by reviewing the second page of the statement, which may be marked “Estimated.”
The customer's utility bill will be reconciled once the next on-site meter reading is obtained. If actual usage is lower than the estimate, a credit will be applied to the following month. If actual usage is higher than the estimate, additional charges will be applied to the next month’s bill.
The City cannot accept customer-submitted meter readings related to bill estimation at this time. Customers who have previously received a meter read card due to property inaccessibility issues can still submit those readings as usual.
Customers who are concerned about their ability to pay this or any utility bills may request a payment arrangement to extend the due date on the billing statement.
Customers can contact customer service by visiting Utilities Customer Service online or by calling (816) 325-7930.