a radio frequency automated meter reading device for determining quantities of a consumed utility product including electric , gas and water service . the present invention intermittently transmits utility product consumption as a modulated rf signal , and does not require complex polling and bi - directional communication . data is obtained and formatted for transmission and is adapted to be received by a remote receiving device having an rf receiver . the present invention is adaptable to water meters , gas meters and electric meters , and has an ir programming module facilitating remote programming and diagnostic procedures . in the case of water and gas meters , an internal lithium battery provides an operational life of up to ten years . in the case of the electric meter , power is tapped directly from the electric service .