An energy meter will take accurate measurements of how much electricity and gas your business is using on a day to day basis.
Taking regular meter readings is still required on many different types of business energy meters. If meter readings are not sent to your energy supplier, then you could risk getting inaccurate energy bills.
Most suppliers will allow you to ring them or submit meter readings online. If you are an existing customer, you can send your meter readings in through a customer portal. We will then transfer this information to your supplier.
If you are not sure what type of meter you have or not quite sure how to read it, continue reading this guide.
How to read an electric meter
Most electricity meters will be digital meters. If this is the case, you could have a single rate meter or two rate meters. If your electricity meter is slightly older you will most likely have a dial meter.
Single rate meters
A single rate meter will show five numbers followed by one or more red numbers. To read the meter write down the first five numbers from left to right, ignoring any other numbers after the first five.
This meter reading would be 54689
Two rate meters
If you have an economy of 7 or 10 meters, then you will have two separate readings. the row of numbers will look similar to a single rate meter, except there will be two of them. The two sets of numbers will be labelled according to what usage they have measured.
One set of numbers will be labelled low or night as this shows how many units of cheaper electricity have been used. The other set will be labelled normal or day. This will record how much electricity you have used at the standard rate.
You can read numbers the same way you would a single-rate meter.
you should note that there might not always be two separate displays with a two-rate meter, there may be a button on the meter to switch between the two readings. However, they still should have labels to differentiate between the two.
This meter reading would be 54689 and 79235.
Dial meters
Dial meters will usually have 5 or more dials. You only need to focus on the first 5 to get your meter reading. Similar to a digital meter you want to read numbers from left to right. Look at whatever number the dial is pointing at and write that number down.
If the pointer is between two numbers write down the lower number unless it is between 0 and 9, in this case, write down nine. If the pointer is directly on a number then underline this number. if the dial next to the number you have underlined is between 0 and 9, then reduce the number underlined by one.
This meter reading would be 15933
How to read a gas meter
If you have a digital gas meter it will either be metric or imperial. A metric gas meter will have five main numbers and an imperial meter will have 4.
Metric meter
With a metric meter, you need to read the first five numbers from left to right on your meter. When writing down the number you should include any zeros at the beginning but do not include any numbers after a space or decimal point. With a metric meter, it will start recording from zero again once it has reached 99,999.
This meter reading would be 54689
Imperial meter
If you have an imperial meter then you need to read the numbers that show up on your meter from left to right. You should write down the numbers including any zeros, but not the numbers in red.
It is important to note that if your meter has reached 9,999 then it will begin again at zero.
This meter reading would be 5468
Dial meter
Older meters will usually tend to have dials to read instead of lines of numbers. Although they may look more confusing to read at first they are actually really simple. You should see dials marked 1/10.
You want to read the dials from left to right, just like you would with a digital meter. However, you only want to read the bottom dials, ignore any red dials or dials that are bigger. Sometimes the pointer can be between two numbers, always choose the lower number. However, if the pointer is between zero and 9, then always use nine.
If any of the pointers are exactly on a number, you would write it down and underline it. If you do have any nines written down, then take one away from any underlined numbers.
This meter reading would be 1593
Smart meters
On most occasions, your smart meter will automatically send your energy supplier your gas and electricity meter readings. However, there are some situations where you may have to take a meter reading yourself or send information to your supplier manually. For example, certain situations could include:
- You might want to check your meter reading yourself. This can help keep you on track with energy efficiency measures or can help show you where your energy usage peaks.
- If you have just switched suppliers you might have to send the first meter reading yourself.
- Your supplier might not be able to connect to your smart meter in which case you would have to send your meter reading manually.
Before reading your smart meter ensure you are taking the right readings. When you get a smart meter installed you will usually get a small device with a screen on it. This is a smart energy monitor. Although you could get a reading from this, it’s best to look at the meter itself.
Smart gas meter
Taking a meter reading for your gas will depend on what type of meter you have. See the different types of meters below and follow the instructions to read your specific smart meter.
Meters with buttons on either side of the screen
- Press either button on the meter
- You should see 01 followed by numbers
- Write down the numbers after the 01 from left to right
- Ignore any zeros at the beginning of the numbers and any numbers after the decimal space.
Meters with two buttons to the right of the screen
- This type of meter will usually have EDMI printed on it
- Press the button furthest to the right
- Ignore any zeros at the beginning of the numbers or numbers after the decimal points
Meters with arrow buttons
- Press the top arrow
- Write down numbers from left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Meters with a keypad
- Press 9 on the keypad
- You should see VOLUME on the screen
- When the numbers show up after writing them down left to right.
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Meters with square buttons at the bottom of the screen
- Press the button closest to the left
- Write down numbers from left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Meters with A and B buttons
- Press the A button
- You should see the meter index show up with numbers underneath.
- Write down numbers from left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Smart electricity meter
Taking a meter reading for your electricity will depend on what type of meter you have.
Meter with a keypad
your reading will be different depending on whether you pay one or two rates for this type of smart meter. Check whether you pay single or two rates beforehand.
Single rate
- Press 9
- Wait till you see IMP KWH come up on the screen
- After these letters a set of numbers should appear
- Read these numbers left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Two rate
- Press 6
- Wait till you see IMP R01- this is usually your off peak rate
- Press 6 again and wait till you see IMP R02- this will be your normal or daytime rate
- Read these numbers left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Meter with A and B Buttons
- Press the A button
- You should see TOTAL ACT IMPORT followed by numbers
- Read these numbers left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Meter with a green button to the right
Your reading will be different depending on whether you pay one or two rates for this type of smart meter. Check whether you pay single or two rates beforehand.
single rate
- Press the bottom button till the screen says meter boost
- Press the green button and you should see numbers appear
- Read these numbers left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Two rate
- Press the green button until "Rate 01 Act imp" shows on your screen- this will be your off peak reading
- Press the green button again until you see "Rate 02 Act imp" this will be your day reading.
- Read these numbers left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Meter with 3 buttons to the right
Your reading will be different depending on whether you pay one or two rates for this type of smart meter. Check whether you pay single or two rates beforehand.
single rate
- Press the middle button
- Read these numbers left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Two rate
- Press the middle button
- When it says R1 - this is your off peak reading
- Press the middle button again it should say R2 -this is your day rate
- Read these numbers left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Meter with an orange button to the left
- Press the orange button
- Read these numbers left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Meter with two white buttons to the right
- The screen should automatically show numbers
- Read these numbers left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Meter with "reconnect" button to the right
- Press the button underneath the one that says reconnect
- Numbers should appear here
- Read these numbers left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
Meter with green and grey buttons to the right
- Numbers should appear automatically
- Read these numbers left to right
- Ignore zeros at the beginning of the numbers or any numbers after the decimal place
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