Question about OGE Meters

[Zuplar]

I have a couple metal buildings at the back of my property that I have been wanting to get connected to electricity. It would take me in excess of 300 ft of cable to tie into my existing box, so someone had mentioned that OGE would install a second meter, but wasn't sure the costs involved or how much extra ongoing it would cost.

So my question, is this something OGE does and anyone that may have experience, what are the install costs as well as ongoing costs?

Any insight will be helpful.

[Bill Robertson]

This is assuming that you're inside the city limits of city that requires inspections. A licensed contractor will have to pull a permit, build a properly sized service (meter base, breaker panel and associated wiring), add a minimum number of circuits as required by the code, and have it all inspected. Last time I knew of all of this would probably be a grand, give or take. Ongoing cost would be the cost of electricity, though I think OG&E has some kind of minimum fee if you don't use enough.

[Zuplar]

This is assuming that you're inside the city limits of city that requires inspections. A licensed contractor will have to pull a permit, build a properly sized service (meter base, breaker panel and associated wiring), add a minimum number of circuits as required by the code, and have it all inspected. Last time I knew of all of this would probably be a grand, give or take. Ongoing cost would be the cost of electricity, though I think OG&E has some kind of minimum fee if you don't use enough.

Yeah I'm inside the city limits. Either way if I added electricity I'd have to have a licensed person do it. I figure it would be easier to have it wired and have a meter put at the building than to have it wired and ran from the house, which is 300ft give or take. Maybe not though, I'm just trying to figure out the easiest way to do it.

[Zuplar]

This is assuming that you're inside the city limits of city that requires inspections. A licensed contractor will have to pull a permit, build a properly sized service (meter base, breaker panel and associated wiring), add a minimum number of circuits as required by the code, and have it all inspected. Last time I knew of all of this would probably be a grand, give or take. Ongoing cost would be the cost of electricity, though I think OG&E has some kind of minimum fee if you don't use enough.

Yeah I'm inside the city limits. Either way if I added electricity I'd have to have a licensed person do it. I figure it would be easier to have it wired and have a meter put at the building than to have it wired and ran from the house, which is 300ft give or take. Maybe not though, I'm just trying to figure out the easiest way to do it.

[ctchandler]

Zuplar,
I built a building about 150' feet from the house and the electricity from my house meter. If there is a minimum monthly charge from OG&E (as SoonerSoftail mentioned), it would be smarter to do it my way. It would probably cost more up front but would pay off in the long run. I don't know what it cost to run my electricity since it was a turnkey job (building, plumbing, and electricity) plus it was in the late 70's. If I'm not mistaken, the most expensive part was the number six copper wire (mine is wired for 220).
C. T.

[Zuplar]

Yeah I'm going to need mine wired for a welder and what not. Everything associated with electricity is so expensive. I wired my generator to power my whole house a couple months ago, doing so myself, and it cost me $250 just for parts. It adds up quick.

[bombermwc]

Also remember that if you put a second meter in, it's technically a second account. So you have an automatic fee of $25 a month for just having the service. If you can tie it into your existing meter, you'll be far better off in the long run. We've run into this issue at my church and have been working on consolidating to one meter.

[Zuplar]

Yeah I just called OGE and apparently the City is the one that has to approve this. They couldn't give me any kind of pricing but did say that they would charge $24.57 plus however much electricity I used, so that's a big time no for me. I guess I will just continue not to have electricity for the time being. I may just wire it myself and use the generator to feed to building.

[Wishbone]

Why not go solar?

[Zuplar]

Why not go solar?

I had thought about going solar, but the problem is being able to run tools and what not. If I was just needing lighting there seems to be plenty of fairly reasonable kits for such.

[jn1780]

Really long extension cord.

[Servicetech571]

OG&E is up to $25/mo for the service charge?

[Zuplar]

OG&E is up to $25/mo for the service charge?

Well...$24.57 anyways. That's what the lady on the phone told me. If that was just a minimum that'd be one thing.

[Servicetech571]

OG&E website shows $13/mo service charge.
https://oge.com/wps/wcm/connect/de21...6-a6826999d724

[mkjeeves]

Yeah I just called OGE and apparently the City is the one that has to approve this. They couldn't give me any kind of pricing but did say that they would charge $24.57 plus however much electricity I used, so that's a big time no for me. I guess I will just continue not to have electricity for the time being. I may just wire it myself and use the generator to feed to building.

I don't know how big your place is but typically the City of OKC will only approve one meter per address.

[Mel]

I worked for OG&E for a short period of time. You would be amazed at how many folks, in the not so upscale neighborhoods, tie their un-socialized man eating dogs to the meter post. Part of the reason I quit. Now back to topic.

[Zuplar]

OG&E website shows $13/mo service charge.
https://oge.com/wps/wcm/connect/de21...6-a6826999d724

Not sure what to tell you, I asked her twice cause I thought it sounded steep but that's the number she gave me.

[Servicetech571]

Maybe OG&E considers the building a commercial account, which would explain the higher service charge.
https://oge.com/wps/wcm/connect/e5ea...4-e84514513eaa