Your gas or electricity meter records how much energy you’ve used. We use this data to calculate your bill. There are three common meter types:

1. How to read a smart meter

A smart meter has a screen with numbers displayed. To read the meter:

• Write down the numbers exactly as they are shown.
• Submit this meter read using My Account.

In this example, the meter read is 09265.

2. How to read a digital meter

A digital meter has an electronic or digital display. To read the meter:

• Write down the numbers shown from left to right.
• Ignore numbers that come after a full stop.
• Ignore any numbers that are in a different colour.

In this example, the meter reading is 26653.

If you get cheaper electricity at certain times, you might have a two rate (or ‘dual-rate’) meter. This means it will have two rows of numbers that you will need to submit. First one number, then the next.

3. How to read a dial meter

With a dial meter, the dials turn in alternative directions from one to the next. Starting with 0 and ending with 9 for each dial.

To read the meter:

• Read the dials in order of highest kWh consumption value first. For example, if your meter has five dials, go with this order: 10,000, 1000, 100, 10 and 1.
• Some meters may be missing consumption values due to wear and tear. If this is the case, just make sure you’re reading the dials from left to right.
• Ignore any extra dials that are in a different colour from the main dials. For example, red dials where all the others are black.
• When you read the numbers on each dial, note the direction the numbers are going from 0 to 9.
• Write down the number you see on each dial that the pointer has just moved past, even if it’s not the closest number to the pointer. Do this on a piece of paper first before you submit it online using My Account.
• For any numbers where the pointer is exactly over the top, underline it.
• When you have all your numbers, if you have underlined one, check the dial to the right. If the pointer on that dial is between 9 and 0, reduce the number underlined by 1.

In the example above, the meter reading is 44928.

Safety

Please be safe when you read your meter. If your meter is hard to reach don’t worry about submitting a read. You’ll still be billed as usual. If you see loose or expired wires on your meter, please contact an electrician as soon as possible.