How to read an electric meter

Learn how to read an electric meter with our easy guide. Understand analogue and smart meters, ensure accurate billing, and monitor your energy use efficiently.
Adam Graham
Aug 6, 2024

Reading your electric meter might seem like a daunting task, but it’s crucial for ensuring accurate billing and monitoring of your energy usage.

In this guide, we break down the process into simple steps, covering different types of meters and how to read them. Whether you have a traditional meter or a smart meter, we’ve got you covered.

Why are meter readings important?

Do I have to send a meter reading manually?

What kind of electricity meter do I have?

How to read a traditional analogue meter

How to read a smart meter

When to call a JustFix professional

FAQs


Why are meter readings important?

Meter readings are essential for:

  • Accurate bills: By providing regular meter readings, you ensure your energy bills reflect your actual usage, avoiding estimated bills that can be either too high or too low.
  • Energy monitoring: Understanding your energy consumption helps you manage and reduce usage, leading to potential savings on your bills.
  • Supplier switches: When switching energy suppliers, initial meter readings are needed to ensure your new supplier starts with an accurate baseline.

Do I have to send a meter reading manually?

With traditional electricity meters, you need to submit readings manually to your energy supplier. However, smart meters usually send readings automatically.

What kind of electricity meter do I have?

Identifying the type of electricity meter you have is the first step in reading it correctly.

Traditional meter

These meters require manual readings and include analogue and digital types.

Smart meter

Smart meters submit meter readings to your supplier automatically and often come with an in-home display for easy monitoring.

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How to read a traditional analogue meter

Digital single meter

  • Locate the meter: Usually found in utility rooms, basements, or outside your home.
  • Read the numbers: Write down the numbers from left to right, ignoring any numbers in red or after a decimal point.

Digital dual/two rate meter

  • Day and night rates: These meters have two readings for those of you on two energy rates for different times of the day.
  • Write down both numbers: Write down the numbers as they appear, ignoring the red ones.

Digital dual/two rate meter (single display)

Some dual meters only show one reading at a time, with a button for you to view the other rate.

  • Write down the number: Write down the numbers as they appear.
  • Press to see the next figure: Press the button to see the next reading, then write that down too.

Dial meter

A dial meter display has 5 dials, with numbers from 0 to 9. Ignore any extra dials marked in red or with 1/10 next to them.

Steps for reading a dial meter

  1. Write down the numbers the pointer has just passed, from left to right.
  2. If the pointer lies exactly on any number, underline it.
  3. Check your five numbers. For any numbers that are underlined, look at the number following it – if it’s between 9 and 0, reduce your underlined number by one.

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How to read a smart meter

You don’t normally need to read your smart meter. Smart meters normally send readings to your supplier automatically.

You should also get a portable device called an ‘in-home display’ (IHD) - this shows how much you’re spending on your energy.

When it comes to taking a reading, don't try to take it from the IHD. Take it from the meter itself.

You might need to read your smart meter in some situations:

  • Switching suppliers: When you switch, you often need to send the first reading to your new supplier.
  • Connection issues: If your new supplier can’t connect to your older smart meter, manual readings might be required.
  • Personal monitoring: You might want to check your meter reading to track changes in your energy use.

The way you take a reading from a smart electricity meter depends on the type of meter you have.

If your meter has a keypad

The way to read your meter depends on if you pay:

  • a single rate at all times.
  • 2 rates - one rate during the day and one at night.

Single rate

  1. Press 9
  2. Wait until you see the letters ‘IMP KWH’
  3. You’ll then see numbers followed by ‘KWH’ - this is your reading
  4. Write down the numbers from left to right
  5. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point

Two rates

  1. Press 6
  2. Wait until you see ‘IMP R01’ followed by numbers - this is usually your night reading
  3. Press 6 again until you see ‘IMP R02’ followed by numbers - this is usually your day reading
  4. Write down the numbers from left to right
  5. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point

If your meter has A and B buttons under the screen

  1. Press 'A'
  2. Press 'A' again until you see ‘TOTAL ACT IMPORT’ and numbers followed by ‘KWH’
  3. Write down the number from left to right
  4. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point

If your meter has a green A button to the right of the screen and a white B button below it

Single rate

  1. Press the white B button
  2. Wait until the screen says ‘meter boost’ - press 'A' to select 'no', and you should see numbers followed by ‘KWH’
  3. Write down the numbers from left to right
  4. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point

Two rates

  1. Press the green A button
  2. Press the 'A' again until you see ‘Rate 01 Act Imp’ - this is your night reading
  3. Press the green button again until you see ‘Rate 02 Act Imp’ - this is your day reading
  4. Write down the numbers from left to right
  5. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point

If your meter has 3 buttons to the right of the screen

Single rate

  1. Press the middle button
  2. Write down the number below ‘IMP’ from left to right
  3. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point

Two rates

  1. Press the middle button - it should say ‘R1’
  2. Write down the number below ‘IMP’ from left to right - this is your night reading
  3. Press the middle button again - it should say ‘R2’
  4. Write down the number below ‘IMP’ from left to right - this is your day reading
  5. Press the middle button again - it should say ‘T’
  6. Write down the number below ‘IMP’ from left to right - this is your total reading
  7. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning of numbers and any numbers after the decimal point -- you’ll only need the total reading if your supplier asks for it

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If you have 1 orange button and 2 blue buttons

  1. Press the orange button to the left of the screen
  2. Write down the numbers from left to right
  3. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point

If you have a meter with two white buttons to the right of the screen

  1. Wait for the screen that shows numbers followed by KWH
  2. Write down the numbers from left to right
  3. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point

If your meter has 2 buttons to the right of the screen and one says ‘reconnect’

  1. Press the ‘display’ or ‘display select’ button
  2. Press the ‘display’ or ‘display select’ button again until you see numbers followed by KWH
  3. Write down the number from left to right
  4. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after a decimal point

If your meter has a green A button and grey B button to the right of the screen

  1. Look at the screen - you don’t need to press any buttons
  2. Write down the number next to ‘KWH’ from left to right
  3. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point if there is one

If your meter has 2 yellow square buttons to the left of the screen

Single rate

  1. Press the right-hand yellow button
  2. Press the right-hand yellow button again until you see TOU, 1 and numbers followed by KWH
  3. Write down the numbers from left to right
  4. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after a decimal point if there is one

Two rates

  1. Press the right-hand yellow button
  2. Press the right-hand yellow button again until you see TOU, 1 and numbers followed by KWH
  3. Write down the numbers from left to right
  4. Press the right-hand yellow button again, and you’ll see TOU, 2 and numbers followed by KWH
  5. Write down the numbers from left to right
  6. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after a decimal point if there is one

If your meter has 1 blue button and 1 orange button to the right of the screen

Single rate

  1. Press the blue button labelled ‘A’ to turn on the display light
  2. Press the blue button again until you see ‘Total active import kWh’
  3. Write down the numbers from left to right
  4. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after a decimal point if there is one

Two rates

  1. Press the blue button labelled ‘A’ to turn on the display light
  2. Press the blue button again until you see ‘TOU Rate 1’
  3. Write down the numbers from left to right
  4. Press the blue button once more to see ‘TOU Rate 2’
  5. Write down the numbers from left to right
  6. Ignore any zeroes at the beginning and any numbers after a decimal point if there is one

When to call a JustFix professional

If you’re having trouble reading your meter or if you suspect it’s not working correctly, it might be time to call a professional.

JustFix can connect you with a trusted electrician who can assist with meter readings, installations, and troubleshooting.

Our teams of Fixers work nationwide to provide you with professionals for fair, fixed prices. When you book online with us, we'll match you with a qualified local electrician who can check your electric meter at a time that suits you.

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FAQs

How do I read my gas meter?

Reading your gas meter is similar to reading an electric meter. We have full instructions on how to read a gas meter over on our blog, but here’s a quick overview:

  • Dial meters: Read the dials from left to right, ignoring any dials marked in red or labelled 100. Write down the lower number if the pointer is between two numbers.
  • Digital metric meter: Read the numbers from left to right, ignoring any numbers after the decimal point.
  • Digital imperial meter: Similar to the metric meter, but the display might look different. Write down all the numbers before the decimal point.

By understanding how to read your gas or electricity meter, you can ensure accurate billing and monitor your energy consumption more effectively. Regularly checking your meters can help you detect issues early and avoid estimated bills, leading to more accurate and manageable energy costs.
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