Category: wmckissock

[email protected] / May 4, 2026

Many businesses and organizations use natural gas for heating and other operational processes. However, this is no small expense. Apart from inefficiencies with usage, one of the main issues that leads to increased invoices with this expense are metering issues.  

In this article, we’re looking at metering issues that may be increasing your business’ natural gas expenses.  

Metering is important. 

Metering and submetering are important practices so utility companies can charge fair rates for their customers’ usage. Metering measures the energy delivered from the utility into your building or facility. Compared to a flat rate system, this means in theory, you’re only paying for what you use, on top of general fees.  

The difference between metering and submetering can be crucial for how you are billed. Metering measures the entire building or facility’s consumption. This is convenient if your business is in a standalone facility, connected to no other businesses or residences. For multi-unit buildings, submetering can be preferential. Submetering is used to measure the amount of energy for a specific purpose or area within the building. 

Some organizations with standalone facilities may still use submetering. For example, property management companies or higher education institutions may want to submeter their units.  

What are common mistakes with natural gas metering or submetering? 

There are many common mistakes that might result in billing errors when it comes to your natural gas expenses. These are mistakes made by the utility, not the customer. These include: 

• Improper installation: when a meter is installed improperly, it will likely impact the accuracy and consistency of readings. 
• Failing to perform regular calibration: this is when, after a meter is installed and running, the utility doesn’t perform regular checks to ensure it doesn’t drift out of calibration. Over time, it’s natural for certain components to shift or wear down, but this can lead to inaccurate readings. 
• Improper readings in cold weather: change in temperature, specifically in cold environments, can provide inaccurate readings. This is especially hard on your budget, as you’re likely already spending more during these months.  

What steps can you take to prevent meter reading issues? 

While some errors are mistakes by the utility, some are also customer related. Or can at least be prevented by the customer. These include: 

• Obstructions or blockages: sometimes, obstructions and blockages can impact fluid flow or cause inaccurate or inconsistent readings. 
• Sensor fouling: depending on your environment, your meter might be prone to build ups like calcium, magnesium, grime, oil, slime, or more. It could also rust over time. This can impact the readings. 

In conclusion… 

For businesses using natural gas, metering and submetering are important parts of your invoice process. However, errors and damage can lead to inflated costs over time.  

Ian Nairn / April 30, 2026

As the global fuel market becomes increasingly unstable, many nonprofits that rely on fuel for their programming may be struggling to stretch their funding to match rising prices.  

Communities rely on nonprofit fuel usage 

Nonprofit fuel usage may not be at the top of donors’ minds, but it’s a critical expense to many organizations and their programming. Different missions that rely on fuel usage include: 

• Food banks and meal delivery programs 
• Seniors’ programs 
• Cancer support organizations, and comparable organizations 
• Programs providing medical supplies to those in need 
• Programs providing transportation 

These are no small feats. The Calgary Food Bank, for example, spends “an average of $10,000 in fuel each month.” Similarly, Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino, in California says they are anticipating spending $140,000 this year in transportation costs alone. The latter organization anticipates having to redirect funding intended for other programming into their fuel budgets as costs continue to rise.  

Fuel costs impact everything 

Fuel costs don’t increase in a bubble. Since they directly impact the entire supply chain, nonprofits will find the cost of many of their supplies also increases. 

Likewise, times of high fuel expenses naturally lead to fewer donations and volunteers, as it becomes less affordable for some to donate their time or money. For example, programs where people volunteer to drive those in need to appointments or on shopping excursions may find fewer volunteer commitments than normal.  

How do nonprofits keep serving communities amidst rising prices?  

Understandably, with rising costs and dwindling donations, some nonprofit leaders are afraid for the future. One strategy to combat unpredictable fuel expenses are organizational fuel cards. In fact, some providers even offer special rates and discounts for nonprofit organizations.  

In a nutshell, a fleet card (or fuel card) is a type of payment card that allows for easy management of expenses associated with organization-owned vehicles. They can provide the following advantages: 

• Accurate records and flexible reporting 
• Spending history and budget control 
• Driver convenience when refuelling 
• Reduction to fuel expenses 

This is an option if you have organization-owned vehicles, but what if you don’t? Fuel cards are only one cost reduction strategy that frees up funds without impacting programming or requiring more donations and fundraising. Other cost reduction strategies targeting expenses such as payment processing, waste disposal, phone and internet services, and more can all add room to your fuel budget and other programs without taking away from your mission. 

/ April 28, 2026

Have you ever left a meeting thinking: everyone talked, but nothing was achieved? Chances are that people were listening to each other, just not in the same way. Listening experts Maegan Stephens and Nicole Lowenbraun unpack the four different ways to listen, sharing a practical framework that could change how you respond, build trust and get results — starting with just one simple question.

/ April 20, 2026

As the global fuel market becomes increasingly unstable, many nonprofits that rely on fuel for their programming may be struggling to stretch their funding to match rising prices.  

Communities rely on nonprofit fuel usage 

Nonprofit fuel usage may not be at the top of donors’ minds, but it’s a critical expense to many organizations and their programming. Different missions that rely on fuel usage include: 

• Food banks and meal delivery programs 
• Seniors’ programs 
• Cancer support organizations, and comparable organizations 
• Programs providing medical supplies to those in need 
• Programs providing transportation 

These are no small feats. The Calgary Food Bank, for example, spends “an average of $10,000 in fuel each month.” Similarly, Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino, in California says they are anticipating spending $140,000 this year in transportation costs alone. The latter organization anticipates having to redirect funding intended for other programming into their fuel budgets as costs continue to rise.  

Fuel costs impact everything 

Fuel costs don’t increase in a bubble. Since they directly impact the entire supply chain, nonprofits will find the cost of many of their supplies also increases. 

Likewise, times of high fuel expenses naturally lead to fewer donations and volunteers, as it becomes less affordable for some to donate their time or money. For example, programs where people volunteer to drive those in need to appointments or on shopping excursions may find fewer volunteer commitments than normal.  

How do nonprofits keep serving communities amidst rising prices?  

Understandably, with rising costs and dwindling donations, some nonprofit leaders are afraid for the future. One strategy to combat unpredictable fuel expenses are organizational fuel cards. In fact, some providers even offer special rates and discounts for nonprofit organizations.  

In a nutshell, a fleet card (or fuel card) is a type of payment card that allows for easy management of expenses associated with organization-owned vehicles. They can provide the following advantages: 

• Accurate records and flexible reporting 
• Spending history and budget control 
• Driver convenience when refuelling 
• Reduction to fuel expenses 

This is an option if you have organization-owned vehicles, but what if you don’t? Fuel cards are only one cost reduction strategy that frees up funds without impacting programming or requiring more donations and fundraising. Other cost reduction strategies targeting expenses such as payment processing, waste disposal, phone and internet services, and more can all add room to your fuel budget and other programs without taking away from your mission.