Reading an electric meter is relatively easy; however, you will need to determine the kind of meter It is necessary as there are four major kinds of electric meters. They include:

  • Electronic Meters
  • Digital Electric Meters
  • Smart Electric Meters
  • Dial Electric Meters

There are many benefits of being able to read the electric meter. However, the most important one is that this way, one can keep track of all his meter readings.

Moreover, you will also be able to check if your electric bill is right or not. Such knowledge is essential in everyday life. This will help you get to know about all the ways you can limit the use of electricity.

Electronic Meter

Discovering the meter reading on an electronic meter is comparatively even more comfortable than the digital meter. There are two different kinds of electronic meters.

One among them will allow the automatic display on the electric meter. Whereas, in a different type, you will have to press a button to take a picture of the readings that will be displayed in the meter. However, one will have to follow the same process as you did for the digital meter.

To read the electric meter, you will have to note down the reading that comes in the form of digits being displayed in the center of the meter. Next, you will have to note down the reading from the left to the right side.

In this kind of meter, you will again have to ignore all types of red numbers. They can either be red or will be contained in a red box.

Likewise, one will have to look at the previous readings in this kind of meter too. It will help you to determine the difference between the ratings of the daytime and the nighttime.

The Digital Electric Meter

Starting with the digital electric meter, one will have to read it by accessing the written numbers from the left to the right side. However, sometimes, some numbers are written in either red color or red blocks.

It is necessary to let go of those numbers. Moreover, some people receive an electric bill that is low-priced. This kind of statement comes with two types of rows in the meter.

In the case of two rows in the electric meter, you will have to write all the numbers in the rows beginning from the left and ending it on the right side. Moreover, you will have to check out the meter readings on the previous bills.

It is very important to determine the difference between the daytime and the night-time ratings. The rate of day and night differs, and it will help you note down its significant differences.

Smart Electric Meter

Having a smart electric meter cuts off all the troubles in the first place. It is because it will help you in collecting the meter reading in a very simple way.

You will not have to read the smart meter reading; it will automatically send the meter reading to its user.

Reading the Dial Electric Meter

To read the dial electric meter, one will initially have to take a keen look at the dials’ direction. The dials’ direction varies in these meters, depending on the direction of the dial before it.

The number on the dial is between 0 to 9. Moreover, they move from 0 to 1 and 0 to 9 in an orderly manner. You will be able to determine the meter reading by reading the direction of the dial.

However, this is not all as there are some other specific instructions that you will have to look after in the case of a dial meter. For example:

  • You will have to read the dials starting from the left side towards the right side.
  • In some cases, the pointer lies between two numbers instead of directly pointing towards one. This gives an advantage to the reader. In this case, you will have to take the number that will be lower than the two numbers.
  • However, if the pointer points directly on a single number, then you must choose the exact number that it will be pointing on.
  • Last but not least, you do not have to read the last number displayed on the right-hand side. It is an insignificant number and will have no purpose in telling us about the dial meter reading.

Importance of Reading a Meter

There are many benefits of generating meter reading; however, the most important one is keeping track of your billing information.

Such knowledge will make you aware of all the technical factors to read the electric meter. However, the most crucial step is to determine the kind of meter that you will be using. All the different types vary according to their prices and their uses.

How can I read my electric meter by myself?

How do you read a smart meter with A and B button?

If your meter has a green A and a white B button:
  1. Press and hold the green A button for at least 2 seconds.
  2. Press A again and again to cycle through the displays.
  3. The first row of numbers you’ll see is your meter reading.

Which button is read on electric meter?

  1. Press 6 on the keypad until you see ‘IMP R01’ followed by 8 digits – this is usually your night/off-peak reading.
  2. Then keep on pressing 6 on the keypad until you see ‘IMP R02’ followed by 8 digits – this is usually your peak/normal reading.
  3. Ignore any digits after a decimal point if you have one.

How do I read my electric meter kWh?

To get a reading from these smart meters:
  1. Press 6 on the keypad until you see ‘IMP R01’ followed by 8 digits.
  2. You’ll then see 8 digits (e.g. 0012565.3) followed by kWh at the bottom right of the screen. This will be your peak/day time reading.
  3. This is your read, so for this example your reading would be 12565.

Can you read a smart meter yourself?

If you prefer to take electricity and gas readings for yourself, here’s how you can check how much energy you‘re using by reading your smart meter. You can read your smart meter by taking a look at your in-house smart meter display unit.

Where is the meter reading on a smart meter?

Smart gas meters
  1. Press 9 on the keypad.
  2. VOLUME will appear on your smart meter screen.
  3. You’ll see 6 digits (e.g. 00123.4) followed by an ‘m3’ symbol at the bottom right of the screen.
  4. This figure is your latest reading – if you’re giving a reading to your energy provider, they only need the first 5 digits.

What are the A and B buttons on my smart meter?

If your meter has an ‘A’ and ‘B‘ button, press ‘A’ until you get to TOTAL ACT IMPORT. The number below this is your electricity reading. Your meter might have three buttons to the side of the display. If this is the case, just press the middle button, and the display will show your reading below the ‘IMP’ on screen.

What do the numbers on a digital electric meter mean?

Your meter is measuring kilowatt-hours (kwh). Subtracting the old reading from the new reading gives you the number of kwh used in the current billing period. Your electric company charges a set amount per kilowatt-hour used. Your bill will tell you what that amount is.

How do I turn on my digital electric meter?

How to Turn on Your Electric Meter
  1. Locate the electric meter. You find it in a boxed unit at the first place the electric wiring enters your home.
  2. Open the door of the unit or the external box. You can usually open the door by turning the handle, or just pulling the knob.
  3. Look at the electric meter.

How do you read a new digital electric meter?

What is a normal electric meter reading?

Two rate meters

Day usage is called ‘normal‘ and night usage is called ‘low’. For instance the electricity meter above would be recorded as: Low (night): 80506. Normal (day): 97192.

Why is my meter reading so high?

High electricity bills may be due to an electricity meter that is incorrectly recording the amount of electricity you are using, but this is unusual. While there is no simple way you can test whether your meter is accurate, if you are concerned about your meter readings, contact your energy supplier.

How can I reduce my electric meter reading?

Turn off your main power supply and then turn off all your house appliances even the smallest one and note down your electric meter reading. Then turn on your main power supply and let your house appliance be off for half an hour to one hour and note down your meter reading.

How can I fight a high electric bill?

There are consumer advocates that can do the heavy lifting for you. In the case of your electric bill, it might be as simple as calling your state’s public utilities commission. Or you might be able to call the National Association of State Utility Advocates, or NASUCA.

How much electricity does a 3 bed house use?

A 3 bedroomed house uses 12,000 kWh of Gas and 3,100 kWh of electricity on average.

What wastes the most electricity in a house?

What Uses the Most Electricity in My Home?
  • Air conditioning and heating: 46 percent.
  • Water heating: 14 percent.
  • Appliances: 13 percent.
  • Lighting: 9 percent.
  • TV and Media Equipment: 4 percent.

How much on average is electric bill UK?

In 2019 the average combined gas and electricity bill for UK households reached an eye-watering £1,289 a year. Broken down, the average electricity bill was £679 – an increase of 6% compared to 2018. As for gas, the average bill was estimated as £610 – a rise of 2.8%.

How much electricity does a 4 bed house use?

1 or 2 bedroom house/flat – gas usage of 8,000kWh and an electricity usage of 1,800kWh. 3 or 4 bedroom house – gas usage of 12,000kWh and an electricity usage of 2,900kWh.