Abstract: A microprocessor controlled utility consumption meter is provided. The meter is to be associated with sensors for detecting the consumption of a utility and includes a real time clock operable to generate time signals to divide a predetermined time period into a plurality of intervals, the intervals defining critical and non-critical utility consumption times. A processor is also provided which communicates with the sensors and is responsive to the timing signals for storing the utility conmsumption for each of the intervals in the period. An accumulator accumulates the utility consumption for each of the intervals over a plurality of periods. The meter also includes an interface for allowing the accumulated utility consumption stored in the meter to the transmitted to a central computer for processing.