All electrical meters shall be read at least one time each month. Should a customer’s meter get out of repair or fail to register properly, the customer will be charged for electric current during the time when the meter is out of order or repair on the basis of monthly consumption during the same month of the preceding year; provided, if no basis for comparison exists or if circumstances have been materially altered then the customer shall pay the amount as reasonably fixed by the Superintendent or by the cashier of utilities.
(1972 Code, § 3-606)