Discussions

Good morning to everybody  
I just wanted to know if someone around here had the situation that manitoba hydro changed their electricity meter  
honestly I do not see anything bad that they have to do it but manitoba hydro has the right to do it without notifying the client  
the situation is that they came to my house I do not know when I never received a notification before or after changing it and that seems a bit strange and that is why I would like to know if someone has gone through an equal situation  
the truth I realized this morning that the meter had been replaced and what I see if I do not realize by myself it seems that no one would have let me know honestly does not bother me the fact that they have changed at all what It bothers me is that as home owners we deserve a little respect and I think that at least they would have notified me before doing it or failing after changing it or maybe I am wrong and they can come at any time and do what they want and when they want with the meter

It’s outside your home and you expect to have power. My guess is that you had an old meter that needed updating. I see nothing wrong with them not notifying you. They have the right to maintain their equipment imo. Your power would have been of for maybe 10-15 minutes while they changed it (ours had been changed in the last 5 years). No big deal

Hydro doesn't really call unless they need you to be home to get into your house, as far as I can remember. I had a gas line brought to my house, and they did not give me any notice of when they were coming. One afternoon my yard was dug up and the meter was there! I was only frustrated because I couldn't give my neighbours a heads up if I didn't know either. But like the previous poster said, if you want to use their equipment and services, they will come around to maintain and upgrade them. I just wish they'd communicate a little about it.

Was changed here 4 or so years ago. They just showed up one day to do it. No big deal-it isn't as if they had to break into my house to do it. I did happen to be home at the time which was a good thing as my dog was not going to let the guy into the back yard.

I cant see any problem developing from having the hydro meter changed . What is a problem is when they change your gas meter without notification during the middle of winter . This was not hydro but back when it was centa gas. Last time I told this story my post was erased so I will stop here .

Digging? Changing a hydro meter does not require digging. Generally the hydro guy is hard to mistake for a burglar. He has a plainly marked Manitoba hydro truck-now, if he is ignoring the pole and instead goes snooping through all your outbuildings and starts loading your quad into the back of his company truck, yes, then it is advisable to ca police.

Shebear said "think they should give notice. There are alot of breakins and stealing at peoples homes/property, and seeing someone digging in my back yard without my knowledge or permission despite it being 'their property' is not respectful or considerate and who the hell is on my property lol . I wouldnt blame an elderly person calling the cops if they saw that happening in their yard lol All it takes is a notice in your mailbox day before or a call, or show up with legit ID at my door. Not too much to ask. "

And how much time and money is Hydro to invest into notice to change a meter that takes less than 15 minutes to change. Would you be fine if there was a $30 meter notice charge on your bill to change the meter? Need someone to pay them to call you, if no answer someone to deliver a notice to your mailbox. If you were not home and they came to your door and nobody home and you saw tracks would you complain to hydro for no notice? I have only ever got notice when they replace gas meters. This is to relight any appliances, furnaces, etc. Honestly it is quicker to change the meter than to try and contact you to give notice.

Just a thought but hopefully they have knowledge of all users of dialysis or other vital machines that may be in the residence.

vegimite said "Just a thought but hopefully they have knowledge of all users of dialysis or other vital machines that may be in the residence. "

And why would that have anything to do with hydro? They basically pop off a ring, change the meter, put ring back on. If it is so life or death with these machines I know in the hospital they have battery back ups. What happens to these people during power outages?

Although it has been some years since we had hydro service brought into our properties, when we arranged for the service, we agreed that the meter and utilities to the meter were the property of MB Hydro and that they could enter onto the premise at any time for servicing their equipment. We had a meter head replaced a couple of years ago, and Hydro gave us a courtesy call to let us know it was happening and to schedule the appointment.  
 
To the OP, does Hydro have your current contact info? If so, is there a voice mail option? I have found that Hydro does try to communicate with customers for service but if you don't keep your information current, it's not on them. Regardless, a phone call to them will give you the answers eBrandon can't.

You do realize that they enter your property every other month to read your meter, right? The meters are their property and they have the right to have access to it at any time.

the should be able to maintain the equipment, but what if they came and my 2 large dogs were out in the yard?  
courtesy call would be nice, or a letter with your bill (if you still get it mailed) giving a date when they are doing it.

chip0416 said "the should be able to maintain the equipment, but what if they came and my 2 large dogs were out in the yard?   courtesy call would be nice, or a letter with your bill (if you still get it mailed) giving a date when they are doing it. "

If your dogs are outside and the technician can't get to the meter to swap it, they will probably not do it for their safety.  
 
They might knock and see if your're home but if not i think they'd leave some kind of a door knocker asking you to leave the dogs inside for a certain time.