Local utilities have been exploring ways to check meters without disturbing customers, but after years of pilot programs, the problem has turned out to be a tough nut to crack, utility representatives told the Global Times Monday.

Programs to move meters outside and to introduce wireless remote readings have been underway for years, but more than 50 percent of water and gas meters remain inside customer residences, leaving the utilities with few options other than to continue sending meter readers door to door, according to a report in Jiefang Daily.

Those visits often occur in the early mornings and have been known to disturb residents, though utility representatives said they have always tried to keep the disturbances to a minimum.

"Relocating meters involves complicated construction work, and it is not cost-effective to install remote reading devices," said Tang Yichun, a senior executive in the customer service department of the Shanghai Gas (Group) Co Ltd.

About 95 percent of the residential gas meters in the city are installed inside customers' homes, Tang said.

The company launched a pilot program as recently as 10 years ago to introduce remote reading devices in residential compounds that were difficult for meter readers to get into, but the program was only expanded in recent years.

Currently, less than 10 percent of households in the city have been outfitted with remote gas meter reading devices, Tang said.

While the accuracy of remote gas reading is nearly 100 percent, further expansion remains in question. "Installation and maintenance costs are pretty high, and we don't get government subsidies," Tang told the Global Times.

There are very few remotely read water meters in the city. "The number is so small that it is negligible," said Jin Minghua, a supervisor at the Shanghai Waterworks Hotline, which provides service on behalf of several local water companies.

Still, some companies have lined up projects to move meters outdoors, though residents have to pick up part of the cost.