Section 40. Submetering

When submeters are installed by the owners to measure the electricity or natural gas used by its tenants, all charges for electricity or natural gas used, except the allowed service charge, shall be calculated from the readings of such submeters.

Submeters in service may be tested by the owner, the Commission, or any other lawfully constituted authority having jurisdiction. When, as a result of such a test, a submeter is found to be no more than 2.0% fast or slow, no adjustment will be made to the tenant's bill. If the submeter is found to be more than 2.0% fast or slow because of incorrect calibration, the owner will rebill the tenant for the correct amount as calculated for a period equal to ½ of the time elapsed since the last previous test, but in no case for a period in excess of 12 months or since occupancy by the existing tenant, whichever is less. The percentage registration of an electric submeter will be calculated by the "weighted average" of light load and full load which is calculated by giving a value of one to the light load and a value of four to the full load. The accuracy of a natural gas submeter will be measured at the check rate of flow, as defined in ANSI B109.

Whenever it is found that unmetered electricity or natural gas is being used as a result of tampering, the tenant will pay to the owner an amount estimated by the owner to be sufficient to cover the electricity or natural gas used but not recorded by the meter and not previously paid for by the tenant.

Whenever it is found that, for any reason other than calibration or tampering, the submetering apparatus has not registered the true amount of electricity or natural gas which has been used by the tenant, the electricity or natural gas used during the entire period of incorrect registration will be estimated based upon all known pertinent facts, and the amount of electricity or natural gas so estimated will be used in calculating the corrected bill. The owner will rebill the tenant for the adjusted amount for a period equal to one-half of the time elapsed since the last previous test for submetering apparatus, but in no case for a period in excess of 12 months or since occupancy by the existing tenant, whichever is less.

Historical Notes

Derived from Case No. PUE920067 §IV, eff. July 1, 1993.

Statutory Authority

§ 56-245.2 et seq. of the Code of Virginia.