PNM always prefers to get actual-meter-reads rather than estimated-meter-reads. An actual-meter-read would mean that a meter reader would be there in person reading the meter or you would submit your own meter reading. We cannot transmit the data without a reading because PNM currently does not have Advanced Metering Infrastructure (more commonly known as AMI) which is a system that measures, collects, analyses your energy usage, and communicates by automatically transmitting the data electronically. An estimated bill means PNM was unable to obtain an actual meter reading on the scheduled read date, therefore the meter reading was estimated, and a bill was issued based on the estimated reading.

Estimated meter reads are calculated by using historical customer account data which includes readings from the same account previous month, and last year during the same month. For example, if a customer's reading and bill was estimated in December 2023, then the estimate calculation used data from November 2023 (the previous month) and December 2022 (the previous year). If the estimated reading is too high or too low, it will correct itself the following month when an actual reading is obtained, which is called a catch-up or true-up bill.

If you received a bill based on an estimated reading, you may contact us contact at 888-DIAL-PNM Monday-Friday from 7:30AM-6PM and request an actual meter reading to be obtained and a new bill to be issued based on the actual reading. This would require the cause of the estimation to be remedied, such as access problems or bad weather. You may also obtain the reading of your meter and provide it to PNM at the time of the call.

An estimated reading/bill may will not necessarily result in a high bill. If however, the estimated reading is too high or too low, it will correct itself the following month when an actual reading is obtained, which is called a catch-up or true-up bill

Customers may have received an estimated bill due to bad weather, trouble accessing the meter on the property because of locked gates, a dog on the premise, or vegetation blocking visual access to the meter reading.

Below is a list of all the reasons why a bill might be estimated.

• Covered: Your meter was covered by something that made it unable to be read.
• Bad road: We could not get to your meter due to unsafe road conditions
• Broken glass: There was broken glass that kept us from being able to read your meter.
• Customer read: Customer stated that customer would submit a meter read and therefore we did not read it.
• Gate locked: The gate to access your meter was locked and we could not get to your meter.
• Dog on Premises: Our readers may choose not to read the meter when dogs are not properly secured away from the meter or the path to the meter.
• Weather: The weather was an issue and kept us from reading your meter.
• OMR Not Responding: The reader could not pick up the radio signal from your automated meter.
• Vegetation: There was vegetation obstructing our access to read your meter.
• Staffing: We did not have enough staff to read your meter and therefore we had to estimate your reading.