There are several types of electricity or gas meters which could be used at your property. So please check this information for how to read your type of meter.
Digital and odometer meters
Read the meter numbers from left to right, ignoring any numbers after the decimal point or that are in red.
In this example the meter reading is 46043.
Dial meters
Read the dials from left to right, ignoring any red dials. Each dial turns in the opposite direction to the one before it. Before you read your dial meter, check the direction of your dials as they might not be the same as this example, but they all start from zero.
- If the pointer is between two numbers, always take the lower number e.g. if between 4 and 5, take 4 as on the first dial below.
- If the pointer is directly over a number, use that one.
- If the pointer falls between 9 and 0, write down 9 (think of the 0 as 10) then reduce the reading you've already noted for the dial on its left by one. For example, if you originally recorded 5, reduce it to 4.
In this example the meter reading is 44928
Advanced meters (smart meters)
Some advanced electricity meters have a cycle display button (to the right of the screen) that you need to press to take readings, while some automatically scroll through the displays. Either way, look for screens that show the letters kWh. Read the numbers from left to right, up to the decimal point. Also note any description displayed on the screen relating to your rate as if you have more than one rate (like day/night, or for more than one dwelling on the property), you will need to take a reading for each rate.
In this example the meter reading is 76 for the day rate.