Columbia Gas is making it easier to get accurate monthly readings.

Beginning this week the company started using automated meter readings. 1.5 million customers statewide had a new dial placed on their meters which transmits a signal every fifteen seconds. The meter reader drives their route and the information from the meter is sent to a computer.

"It was inconvenient for customers to be home on the day the meter was scheduled to be read and if they happen to miss the meter...