Reading your gas and electric meters can help you save money on your energy bills by ensuring you’re only paying for the energy you use. But how do you make sure you’re getting an accurate reading? In this guide, we’ll show you how to read your electric and gas meters and give you a pointer towards making sure you’re only paying for the energy you’re using.

What Is A Meter Reading?

A meter reading is a measurement of the amount of energy that you have used. This measurement is taken from your gas or electricity meter, which is installed in your home or business. Meter readings are used to calculate your energy bills and to monitor your energy usage over time.

What Types Of Gas And Electricity Meter Readings Are There?

With different types of gas and electricity meters, it’s good to understand what yours is so that there is no confusion when you take a meter reading. Whether it’s a rate 1 meter, rate 2 meter or any other, we have them covered here.

Electric

Analog meters: These are traditional meters that have mechanical dials and a needle that rotates to show the amount of electricity used.
Digital meters: Digital meters use digital displays to show the amount of electricity used in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Smart meters: Smart meters are advanced digital meters that use wireless technology to communicate with the energy supplier in real-time. They provide real-time information on electricity usage and can be read remotely.
Economy 7: This type of electricity meter that allows you to take advantage of lower electricity tariffs during off-peak hours. With an Economy 7 meter, you have access to a lower rate for electricity consumed during a set period of seven hours overnight, typically from midnight to 7am. During this time, the electricity used is charged at a lower rate, which can result in significant savings on your energy bills.
Interval meters: Interval meters track electricity usage in 15-minute intervals, allowing energy suppliers to charge different rates based on the time of day.
Time-of-use meters: Time-of-use meters are similar to interval meters, but they track electricity usage over longer periods of time, such as a day or a week.
Net meters: Net meters measure both the amount of electricity consumed and the amount of electricity generated by renewable sources, such as solar panels.

Gas

In a home, you are most likely to find a diaphragm meter or a rotary meter. These types of gas meters are commonly used in residential properties because they are relatively low-cost, easy to install, and can accurately measure the gas consumption of most households.

Diaphragm meters are compact and simple to use, and they are suitable for measuring gas flows at low pressures. Rotary meters are similar to diaphragm meters but are more suited to measuring gas flows at higher pressures.

Both diaphragm and rotary meters use mechanical parts to measure the flow of gas, and they provide a reliable and accurate reading of gas consumption. They are also relatively easy to read and maintain, making them a popular choice for residential gas meters.

Read Your Meter

Do you read electric meters left to right?

Typically, energy meters are read from left to right, or from right to left, depending on the particular meter and the utility company’s practice. The important thing is to follow the direction indicated by the meter or the utility company.

How To Read Your Electricity Meter

Understanding your electricity usage is essential for managing your energy bills and reducing your carbon footprint. One of the ways to monitor your electricity usage is by regularly reading your electricity meter. In this article, we will go over the steps on how to read your electricity meter.

Step 1: Locate Your Meter: The first step in reading your electricity meter is to find it. Your electricity meter is usually located in a utility room, basement, or outside your home. If you are unsure where your meter is located, you can check with your electricity supplier.

Step 2: Identify the Display: Once you have located your meter, you need to identify the display. Most electricity meters have a digital or analog display that shows the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) used.

Step 3: Read the Display: The next step is to read the display. For smart meters, simply read the number displayed. For analog meters, you will need to read the dials in a specific order depending what is shown on the display.

Step 4: Record the Reading: Once you have read the display, write down the numbers shown and record the reading to the nearest decimal point. It is a good idea to keep a record of your electricity meter readings so that you can track your usage over time and compare it to your monthly bills.

Step 5: Repeat Regularly: To get an accurate picture of your electricity usage, it is important to get regular meter readings, such as once a month.

How To Read Your Gas Meter

Monitoring your gas usage is important for managing your energy bills and ensuring that you are being charged accurately for the services you receive. One way to monitor your gas usage is by regularly check your meter. In this article, we will go over the steps on how to read your gas meter.

Step 1: Locate Your Meter: The first step in checking your meter is to find it. Your gas meter is usually located outside your home or in a basement or utility room. If you are unsure where your meter is located, you can check with your gas supplier.

Step 2: Identify the Display: Once you have located your meter, you need to identify the display. Most gas meters have a digital or analog display that shows the amount of gas used in cubic meters (m3).

Step 3: Read the Display: The next step is to read the display. For digital meters, simply read the number displayed. For analog meters, you will need to read the dials in a specific order, depending what is shown on the display.

Step 4: Record the Reading: Once you have read the display, record the reading. It is a good idea to keep a record of your gas meter readings so that you can track your usage over time and compare it to your monthly bills.

Step 5: Repeat Regularly: To get an accurate picture of your gas usage, it is important to note your meter reading regularly, such as once a month.

How To Read Your Smart Meter Or Digital Meter

Smart meters and digital meters are modern, advanced energy meters that are being installed in homes across the world. They provide real-time information on your energy usage, making it easier to track your consumption and manage your bills. In this article, we will go over the steps on how to read your smart meter.

Step 1: Find Your Display Unit: The first step in reading your smart meter is to locate the display unit. This display unit is usually located inside your home and shows your energy usage in real-time.

Step 2: Identify the Display: Once you have located the display unit, identify the display screen. The screen will display your energy usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh) for electricity or cubic meters (m3) for gas.

Step 3: Read the Display: The next step is to read the display. The display will show your current energy usage, as well as the amount of energy used over a specific period, such as the past day, week, or month.

Step 4: Record the Reading: Once you have read the display, record the reading. It is a good idea to keep a record of your energy meter readings so that you can track your usage over time and compare it to your monthly bills.

Step 5: Repeat Regularly: To get an accurate picture of your energy usage, it is important to read your meter regularly, such as once a month.

How To Read Pay As You Go Meters

Pay as you go (PAYG) meters are a convenient and flexible way to pay for your electricity and gas usage. Instead of receiving a monthly bill, you top up your meter with credit and use energy as needed. In this article, we will go over the steps on how to read your pay as you go meter.

Step 1: Locate Your Meter: The first step in reading your pay as you go meter is to locate it. Your meter is usually located outside your home or in a basement or utility room. If you are unsure where your meter is located, you can check with your energy supplier.

Step 2: Identify the Display: Once you have located your meter, you need to identify the display. Most pay as you go meters have a digital or analog display that shows the amount of credit remaining on the meter.

Step 4: Record the Reading: Once you have read the display, record the reading. It is a good idea to keep a record of your pay as you go meter readings so that you can track your credit over time and ensure that you have enough credit to last until your next top-up.

Step 5: Repeat Regularly: To stay on top of your energy usage, it is important to read your meter regularly, such as once a week.

What are red dials on gas and electricity meters?

Red dials on energy meters are typically used to indicate the least significant digits of energy consumption. They are usually used in older mechanical energy meters and are read in a similar way to the hands on a clock, with the dials moving in a clockwise direction as energy is consumed. In modern electronic energy meters, the red dials are often replaced by digital displays, which show energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh).

How To Submit Your Reading?

There are several ways to submit your energy meter reading, depending on your utility provider:

Online: Many utility companies have online portals where you can log in and submit your meter reading.
Phone: You can call your utility company and submit your meter reading over the phone.
Mobile app: Some utility companies offer mobile apps that allow you to submit your meter reading via your smartphone.
Email: You can also submit your meter reading by sending an email to your utility company.
Regular mail: You can send your meter reading by mail to your utility company.

Regardless of the method you choose, make sure to have your energy meter number and current reading readily available. The information is usually printed on the energy meter itself or on your energy bill.