Why On-Site Inspection?
Modern utility metering systems are engineered to be very accurate. However, any time people and systems are involved mistakes will be made and equipment can malfunction. Such mistakes can easily be compounded by the programmable systems used in metering and billing utility services today. As described below, such mistakes can cost you $10,000s or $100,000s. Many of these overcharges can only be found by combining a thorough review of the billing and usage history for the utility service with on-site inspection of the metering system. It is important to note that with current systems, it is not just the meter that can cause a major error in the measurement of your service. Moreover, a meter test that indicates a meter is within the required accuracy parameters does not mean that your service is being measured and billed accurately. A meter test may not catch intermittent errors, nor will it identify errors with the auxiliary equipment that works in conjunction with the meter; such as digital compensation equipment, digital totalizers, pressure regulators, instrument transformers, or remote meter reading systems. Here's a sampling of metering issues we have identified with on-site inspections for our clients. |
The ERS On-Site Difference
Why do we invest the time and travel expense to visit our clients' facilities when other audit firms do not? A recent analysis of our audit results for the past five years found that over 30% of the total dollar benefit to our clients was directly from the issues found and information gathered in our site visits. |