Allowing the gas company to check meters without ever entering a home seemed like a good idea, but it’s not working out for Oak Park, at least not for now.
Nicor Gas discontinued a wireless meter reading pilot program earlier this year after the company deemed the equipment used to start the program six years ago outdated, said Richard Caragol, spokesperson for Nicor Inc.
“Oak Park was an excellent location for this pilot program because of the mix of indoor and outdoor meters,” Caragol said.
The idea was for Nicor to be able to read gas meters in customers’ houses through wireless meters, which relay information through three towers in the area. This would cut operations costs and save time for meter readers.
Nicor tested the program on approximately 6,500 customers in Oak Park and other nearby areas, but it ended this past February when the towers could no longer provide reliable information, Caragol said. Nicor serves 2.1 million customers in Northern Illinois.
Nicor is currently using a system where meter readers physically check readings every other month and estimate readings, based on usage, the other months.
Customers can go to nicorgas.com or call 888-nicor4U if they wish to provide exact numbers off their meter to the company during estimated months. The system helps keep Nicor’s costs low, and thus keep customers’ delivery charges low, Caragol said.
It’s possible Nicor will reinstate the wireless program. The company is currently analyzing data and crunching cost numbers from the six years it used the pilot program. Nicor would need to purchae new equipment for towers, however, for the service to continue.
-Marty Stempniak