Meter Reading Made Easy

You are not alone if on first glance at your energy meters you are faced with what would seem like an unreadable mass of dials or a long string of numbers.

Reading most meters is, however, straightforward and with a little practice can easily become a routine weekly task. The illustrations below represent some of the most common types of meters , and give details of how to record the correct reading, to aid you with your own meter. If your meter is different to those shown, why not send us a photo and we can add yours to this list. Click here for contact details.

	If you have this type of electric meter, simply read all digits on the display. No decimal points are given. If the last digit is between numbers, then always record the lower of the two digits as this represents what you have actually used. Reading for image : 93734
	This is an example of an electric dial meter. To read this meter take each dial in turn from left to right and mark the last number which the dial has already passed. Note the number at the bottom of this meter is the meter serial number and has nothing to do with the readings. Reading for image  : 72920
Photo: Kenn Kiser	As the above example, to read this electric meter take each dial in turn from left to right and mark the last number which the dial has already passed. Reading for image : 1353
	No decimal points are given. Sometimes a torch may be needed to illuminate the display in a dark area. Reading for image : 1132
	Only the black numbers should be read. The numbers in red are after the decimal point and can be ignored Reading for image : 1263
	Only the black numbers should be read. The numbers in red are after the decimal point and can be ignored. The meter is in cubic meters as represented by the m3 on the red strip. Reading for image : 12757
	The gas meter is the same as the above example where only black numbers should be read. This gas meter is in cubic meters as represented by the m3 above the reading. Reading for image : 16151
	This gas meter is another example of a dial meter. This gas meter is in cubic feet as stated on the meter. The two dials at the bottom can be ignored as they refer to the digits after the decimal place. Reading for image : 7316