That little meter on the side of the house that is constantly working is called a power meter. The power meter is what measures the consumption of electricity in the home. This is an important aspect because the power meter is what ultimately decides what you are billed. This power meter is usually installed at the point where the power enters the home. Make sure that this meter is never tampered with as there can be serious consequences for a power meter that has been tampered with. Here are a few things to know about your power meter. 

The Lifespan

A typical power meter is going to have a lifespan of about thirty years, but a digital or smart power meter is going to have a lifespan of about fifteen to twenty years. This is important because you need to make sure that the power meter is accurate. You are not responsible for the maintenance of the meter, but you will have to deal with the consequences if it is not accurate. So, do yourself a favor and just call your power company and just ask when the last time your power meter was checked. Your power meter may be due for a tune up. 

Being Tied To A Supplier

The utility company is the party that is responsible for the upkeep of your power meter, and if you see anything wrong with your meter, you need to contact them as soon as possible. However, just because they are the ones that are responsible for the maintenance of your power meter does not mean that you are tied to one utility company. If you want to change your utility company, you can do that with no problem. The new utility company will then have to come and check the meter and make sure that everything is correct. Do not feel that the meter is connected to a specific power company.

Replacement

You are the one that lives in your home -- not the utility provider, so if you see that something is wrong with your meter, be sure to call your company. They usually are very good at coming out to inspect the meter. They will be able to know if you need power meter replacement or if it is just a quick repair. It is illegal to tamper with a meter, but it is not unheard of to hear of a person tampering with a neighbor's meter. If you suspect anything at all, be sure to call your provider.