View Full Version : Xcel randomly just showed up to replace gas meter
drift_g35
02-08-2014, 11:40
Think this is anything to worry about? I might be paranoid but I think it is a little weird that they show up on a Saturday morning to replace my meter. They said it wasn't transmitting correctly but my bill hasnt changed at all. Thoughts?
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StagLefty
02-08-2014, 11:45
Think this is anything to worry about? I might be paranoid but I think it is a little weird that they show up on a Saturday morning to replace my meter. They said it wasn't transmitting correctly but my bill hasnt changed at all. Thoughts?
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None !!! [Coffee]
spittoon
02-08-2014, 11:47
Big brother is watching you. The meter is actually a whole house spy system thingamabob Quick cover it with TIN FOIL
They run shift so someone is allways working in case of emergency. Busy work happens when they don't have emergencies so the saturday thing doesn't surprise me. Your bill not fluctuating would indicate a problem which goes along with their story. They'll bill you based on the previous month, after about 3 months of not moving it red flags for maintenance.
I had an issue several years ago with the gas meter guys where weapons were pointed on either side.
They are supposed to replace them every 10 years, but often don't until they can't get a reading on the truck that drives up and down the street.
Or it could be the NSAOMGCIAFBIWTF placing a new surveillance system in your house. http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/images/emoticons//tinfoilhatsmile.gif
blacklabel
02-08-2014, 11:56
I had an issue several years ago with the gas meter guys where weapons were pointed on either side.
Do tell.
UrbanWolf
02-08-2014, 11:59
Nothing to worry. It was probably working alright during your last billing period, and something went wrong just a few days ago.
Do tell.
All ears....http://d26ya5yqg8yyvs.cloudfront.net/ear.gif
ChunkyMonkey
02-08-2014, 12:27
Story time!!!
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Story time!!!
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ChunkyMonkey
02-08-2014, 12:31
Cofi wanna cracker?
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Cofi wanna cracker?
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I just wanna hear about wulf's stand off....lol
Definitely nano spy disbursement. They don't burn you see so if you flame it they will still be released. Start using kerosene for heat.
So i was home from work one afternoon with a fever about 102. I have a driveway sensor that beeps when people walk down my sidewalk. It went off multiple times. I look out the bedroom window to find 3 guys in orange vests, one pointing a large can of mace at the dog, who was trying to lick them and the can. One guy was approaching my bedroom window. I flung it open and ordered him off my property. The guy with the mace started advancing, can in hand and arguing. The guy to the rear with a bag full of tools took off when I ordered them to leave. The two remaining claimed to be there to read my gas meter. Since I don't have a gas meter, they showed up with 3 guys, mace and tools to check the reading something wasn't right. The guy closest to me kept advancing till he was less than arms reach from the window, then he noticed my pistol leveled just below the sill and immediately went pale and agreed to leave. The guy with the mace was insistent that they be allowed to come in and read my meter (he was still holding the mace and was less than 15ft away). The man that was closest backed away and grabbed him by the shoulder making him leave.
I called the gas company immediately and explained what happened, gave my number and said if I didn't have a reasonable explanation in 1 minute I was calling the cops and having the three arrested. A supervisor was put on the phone saying yes they had a crew in the area but "they'd never do something like that" I calmly explained that the crew identified themselves as Atmos employees, and if they weren't I needed to call the police immediately and give them the footage.. He asked for clarification that I had them on film and I informed him I have several cameras that caught all of it on film and audio. He quickly apologized and said he'd handle it, the crew was new and was not supposed to be working together like that and asked if that would solve it. I told him that he needed to inform anyone working in the area that since none of their equipment was on my property they had no cause to be there and I would press charges on the next crew that pulled this kind of thing. I've been happily left alone by Atmos energy since. Now century link is another situation entirely...
spittoon
02-08-2014, 14:20
century link is another situation entirely...
Why stop now please continue
blacklabel
02-08-2014, 15:28
Why stop now please continue
Century link tech likes to snoop around my place and stuff comes up missing shortly there after. Ive ordered him out and greeley pd wont arrest claiming they have an easment. Which they dont. The tech lies and says he wasn't on my property. Then gets behind the easement issue when I offer footage. Since I dont have a fence on one side Greeley basically lays it at my feet. Even though the tech doesnt go thru the open area. He jumps the fence or opens gates.
He said she said. Fence coming soon
BPTactical
02-08-2014, 20:39
It's the UNAgenda21carbontaxrenewableruralenergy police.
Hide your dog...
Metalhed
02-08-2014, 21:03
I wish they would replace mine. It chirps like a bird all night long, when it is cold. It is under the bedroom window. We have called them and they state it is normal for it to chirp
Pain in the ass, when rying to fall asleep
I have worked for and against Xcel on gas meter issues, some you have read about in the papers.
If they are supposed to get an automatic reading and don't, they change them out. The gas meters are owned by them and if you look, you have granted them permission to come on your property to service their equipment. Guy driving the vehicle that collects may drive by twice, but they don't check them for actual function. You might see something a bit off on the next bill, or a note that it was adjusted.
They are NOT required to be changed out every 10 years. However, the regulators have a date stamp and they are required to be changed out at some time period. The longest residential is currently 25 years. I did a house explosion a few years back, the regulator was date stamped 1952...you could actually see the gas leaking from the seals.
The meter they took will be rebuilt and then when another one goes down, it will be swapped out for that one.
I wish they would replace mine. It chirps like a bird all night long, when it is cold. It is under the bedroom window. We have called them and they state it is normal for it to chirp
Pain in the ass, when rying to fall asleep
By all means, don't trip near it while carrying a hammer, you might break something. :)
Wulf, I would like to learn about the surveillance equipment you purchased.
Please PM me.
spqrzilla
02-08-2014, 22:54
My last two gas readings were "estimated" so I hope they fix my meter soon.
I wish they would replace mine. It chirps like a bird all night long, when it is cold. It is under the bedroom window. We have called them and they state it is normal for it to chirp
Pain in the ass, when rying to fall asleep
My wife complained there was mouse or "something" in the basement.
It was the gas meter right next to one basement window that was squeaking.
A call to Excel with that info and the added fact that all the pipes were wonkey and seemed stressed from ground settling brought an immediate replacement even though they set them up to account for movement.
Wulf, I would like to learn about the surveillance equipment you purchased.
Please PM me.
You're the second to ask so I'll post it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ISVJL6/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p60_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0TWF6N210FVYV64Q5DBV&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846
driveway monitor, you can add multiple sensors, range is good (i've gotten 200 yards in an out building reliably), batteries last a year usually. False alarms are far less than the HF model.
night owl 8 channel h.264 dvr w/4 hi res 600tvl cameras
1 camera with intercom at front and back doors. (way out of date but they work)
No relevance to Xcel but United Power is replacing their readers. Maybe this time they will face it in a direction that is can actually be read. Oh, and I doubt it has been replaced in 40 years.
We got ours replaced in late 2012 after our house caught fire (electrical) from the ground settling. We inspected the gas meter and the pipe being twisted into a pretzel and took a photo of it. The ground settled something fierce in 2012.
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