Non-communicating meters
How do I read my non-communicating meter?
Click the links below for instructions on how to read your meter, self-read dates and a postcard you can use to submit your meter readings.
Gas meter
![an up-close view of the dials on a gas meter](/images/default-source/630x400-standard-image-callouts/630x400-gas-meter-dials-01.jpg 1x)
Gas meter
Natural gas dials represent the amount of natural gas measured in volumes of hundreds of cubic feet (ccf).
A gas meter is driven by the force of the moving gas in the pipe, and also turns faster as the flow increases. Each time the dial with the lower value makes one complete revolution, the pointer on the next higher value dial moves ahead one digit.
To read your meter:
- Be at eye level of the dials.
- Mark the dials from left to right.
- Take note of the direction of the arrows on the display – the pointer of adjacent dials turn in opposite directions to each other.
- Draw the pointer on the dials as displayed on your gas meter.
- When the pointer on the dial is between two numbers, record the lower number.
- If the pointer is between 9 and 0, 9 is the lower number.
- When the pointer is directly on the number, look at the dial to its right:
- Has the dial on the right has passed 0, yes, use the number that the pointer is on.
- The dial on the right has not passed "0," use the number less than what the pointer is on.
Example:
In the example below, the reading is: 6 2 3 8
![630x400 gas meter dials-01 an up-close view of the dials on a gas meter](/images/default-source/630x400-standard-image-callouts/630x400-gas-meter-dials-01.jpg)
![630x400 meter reading-01 the numbers 6 2 3 8 written on a piece of paper](/images/default-source/630x400-standard-image-callouts/630x400-meter-reading-01.jpg)
Electric meter
![An electric AMI meter isolated on a white background](/images/default-source/630x400-standard-image-callouts/630x400-ami-electric.jpg 1x)
Electric meter
The basic unit of measure of electric power is the watt. One thousand watts is called a kilowatt.
When you use one thousand watts of power in one hour, you have used one kilowatt (kWh).
We bill you by the kWh. Your electric meter is a digital meter that has an electronic display that displays the current reading, like a digital clock.
When reading an electric meter, write down the numbers as shown on the meter.
Example:
In the example below, the reading is: 0 0 2 1 0 8
![630x400 electric meter-01 an up-close view of an electric meter](/images/default-source/630x400-standard-image-callouts/630x400-electric-meter-01.jpg)
![Electric Meter read-01 A note pad and pencil. On the notepad, the numbers 002108 are written.](/images/default-source/630x400-standard-image-callouts/electric-meter-read-01.jpg)
When submitting your meter reads, please be ready with your account number, your service address, your meter read(s) and the date you read your meter(s).
Options to submit your meter reads:
- Submit online in My Energy Account
- Call (888) 467-2669; M-F 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Mail the meter reading card to us at:
Advanced Meter FAQs
What is the advanced meter project timeline in Montana?
NorthWestern Energy began installation in Montana in 2021. Here is a list of approximate dates for the Montana Meter Upgrade project by area:
• Missoula Division: completed August 2022
• Butte Division: completed June 2022
• Bozeman Division: July 2022 – January 2024
• Lewistown District: February 2024 – July 2024
• Havre District: April 2024 – October 2024
• Helena Division: June 2024 – May 2025
• Great Falls Division: August 2024 – May 2025
Will I have to pay for the meter?
Who will change my meter?
NorthWestern Energy contracted with Tru-Check to install the new digital meters, the same company that installed the first generation, one-way communication digital meters in 1998 that are in use today.
Tru-Check technicians will wear apparel with the Tru-Check logo and will carry a NorthWestern Energy contractor identification badge.
When will the meters be installed and do I need to be home?
Most of the installations will occur Monday through Friday during business hours, though there will be cases when evening or weekend installations may be necessary. Customers don't need to be home.
A door hanger will let residents know their upgrade was successful. If the technician cannot perform the upgrade, a door hanger will be left with instructions to call to make an appointment.
If you are both an electric and natural gas NorthWestern Energy customer, the new electric meter will be installed first and the new gas module will be installed during a follow-up visit to your home or business in about eight weeks.
What happens to the meter on my home or business now?
Are radio frequency (RF) emissions coming from the meters and modules?
Yes. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the safety limits for all RF emissions, and smart meter and module emissions make up a small portion of the limit. The RF emissions of the one-way communication meters in use now and the two-way communication meters that are being installed for this technology upgrade are both approved by the FCC. Radio frequency emissions are also produced by common household devices such as microwaves, baby monitors and TVs.
Is customer information protected?
Yes. Customer privacy and security are NorthWestern Energy priorities. The company’s strict security standards have contributed to protecting the energy grid and customer privacy for years. The meters do not collect, store or transmit any personally identifiable information.
The meters measure total energy and cannot differentiate energy usage by appliance or anything else within a home or business. The transmitted energy use information is encrypted.What if I don’t want an upgraded meter?
Customers who want to keep their existing meters can call NorthWestern at 888-467-2669 or email NorthWesternEnergyMeters@northwestern.com to be added to the bypass list. Customers who previously requested an opt out do not need to contact NorthWestern again to be bypassed and keep their meters.
NorthWestern will be reaching out to customers who received an advanced meter despite their request to opt out. For those who still wish to opt-out, NorthWestern will ensure that the advanced meter is removed and replaced with a meter similar to the one that was there before. Customers will not be charged for this service.
Customers who have questions about the advanced meter opt-out program can contact NorthWestern at 888-467-2669
or the Montana Public Service Commission at 1-800-646-6150 or pschelp@mt.gov.
![520x330_Logo_OnWhite-01](https://northwesternenergy.com/images/default-source/520x330-news/520x330_logo_onwhite-01.jpg)
NorthWestern Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Date: Jul 30, 2024
TYPE: News
BUTTE, MT / SIOUX FALLS, SD - July 30, 2024 - NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (Nasdaq: NWE) reported financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Net income for the period was $31.7 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, as compared with net income of $19.1 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the same period in 2023.
“We are pleased to report solid earnings growth this quarter, a clear testament to our team’s dedication and hard work,” said Brian Bird, President and CEO. “We are also happy to announce two strategic transactions that position us for future success. First, we have entered into an agreement to acquire Energy West Montana’s natural gas distribution system, which serves 33,000 customers, most of whom are already our electric customers. Second, we also entered an agreement to acquire Puget’s 370-megawatt ownership in Colstrip at no cost. The agreement features the same structure and December 31, 2025 transfer date as we currently have in place in the previously announced deal with Avista. The no-cost acquisition of Puget’s share of Colstrip will allow us to leverage existing infrastructure that is well established, dependable, reliable and consistently available when our customers need energy the most. Additionally, over the last two months we filed rate reviews in all three of our service territories to enable us to continue to make critical infrastructure investments. All of these actions highlight our commitment to providing reliable, affordable and sustainable energy services to our valued customers while providing a reasonable return on invested shareholder capital.”