Initial Meter Reading (This is your starting point)
March 2
End of Week 1
March 9
End of Week 2
March 16
End of Week 3
March 23
End of Week 4 (Optional)
March 30
Weekly kWh
Usage
Due Each Friday by Noon
Where to Start
We are looking for kiloWatt hours used each week of the Challenge. This spreadsheet can help with your calculations. Most schools use digital electric meters although some still use the older dial meters.
With a copy of your bill, your meter readings, and a little help from your utility, you should be able to get good numbers. If you run into problems with your numbers, check this page.
There are a variety of digital meters being used today. Digital meters present a lot of data, but we are looking just for "kWh". Some digital meters record both "On-Peak" and "Off-Peak" kWh. You can eiher add the 2 numbers together or look for the "T" kWh for a total. Call your utility if you still have questions on reading your meters. Here are descriptions of typical digital meters from two utilities:
Another critical piece of information is the meter "multiplier" used with some meters. The "multiplier" is used to convert a raw meter reading to the actual kWh. Typically the multiplier is posted on the meter and on your electric bill. If your answers are not coming out right, check for a multiplier.
Dial Meters
Most schools today use digital meters, although the older dial meters are still in use. Here is a free iPhone app used to read and calculate dial meter readings. It works by taking a picture of your meter. Good lighting helps. It's called iMeterReader.
Here's a good short video on how to read a dial meter:
Here are the steps for reading a dial meter:
Read the dials from left to right
Record the lowest reading between the numbers
If the mark is very close to the number, look to the dial to the right to help decide if the number should be the higher or lower number.
Don't forget the multiplier if your meter has one! That number converts your raw meter reading into kilo-Watt hours (kWh).
What is the correct reading be on the above meter?
Challenge Home 
