A Guide to Understanding Gas and Electricity Meter Readings

The information provided is applicable to England.

It is necessary for your supplier to receive regular meter readings for your gas or electricity in order to calculate your bills accurately. Failure to provide these readings will result in the estimation of your energy usage, which may lead to an inaccurate bill.

To ensure accurate billing, you can either call your supplier and provide them with the meter readings or check if there is an option to submit them through their website or app.

If accessing your meter poses a challenge, your energy supplier may be able to offer assistance with reading or moving the meter. You can inquire about receiving additional support from your energy supplier.

If you have a smart meter, the process differs from standard meters as smart meters typically send readings to your supplier automatically. Moreover, you will receive a portable device called an 'in-home display' that shows your energy expenditure.

To learn how to read a smart gas meter or a smart electricity meter, please refer to the following links:

- [Read a smart gas meter](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/your-energy-meter/how-to-read-your-smart-gas-meter/)

- [Read a smart electricity meter](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/your-energy-meter/how-to-read-your-smart-electricity-meter/)

For electricity meters, there are different types. Let's explore each one.

Single rate digital meter:

The current meter reading is 75085. Please disregard the red number.

A digital meter has an electronic or digital display, showing five numbers in black or white, possibly followed by one or more red numbers.

To obtain a reading from the meter:

- Write down the first five numbers displayed from left to right.

- Disregard any other numbers.

Two rate digital meter:

This meter displays two readings - 25404 and 54250. Both readings must be provided to your supplier.

If you have a two rate (or 'dual-rate') meter, it means you receive cheaper electricity during specific periods. Such meters have two rows of numbers.

The top row, labeled 'low' or 'night,' indicates the units of cheaper electricity utilized.

The bottom row, labeled 'normal' or 'day,' indicates the units of standard-price electricity utilized.

To obtain a reading from the meter:

- Read both the top and bottom rows.

- Write down the numbers displayed from left to right.

- Ignore any numbers displayed in red.

Two rate single display meter:

This meter displays two readings - 75085 and 46806. Both readings must be provided to your supplier.

Some two rate (or 'dual rate') meters have only one digital display. They either flash the different rate readings in a cycle or have a button that you must press to cycle through the readings for the different rates.

The majority of meters are equipped with a label denoting the categorization of rates as either 'low' or 'night', and 'high' or 'normal'. Please note that if you come across an 'N' on the label, it stands for 'normal' and not 'night'.

If you are uncertain about which rate corresponds to which label, jot down the numbers in the morning and recheck later in the day. The rate that has changed is your 'high' or 'normal' rate.

To obtain the meter reading, record the numbers displayed from left to right for each reading.

To read this meter:

There may be additional numbers after the high and low rates. These additional numbers are not required for your reading.

Dial meter

The dials exhibit the numbers 1 5 6 5 9. After adhering to the meter reading instructions, the reading to provide to your supplier is 1 5 6 4 9.

An electricity dial meter comprises five or more dials. Each dial points to a number ranging from 0 to 9.

Each dial on your meter rotates in the opposite direction compared to the adjacent dial. It is essential to verify the direction of your dials before reading them, as some dial meters commence with a clockwise dial while others commence with an anticlockwise dial.

To read the meter:

If you have underlined a number, check the dial immediately to the right. If the pointer on that dial falls between 9 and 0, subtract 1 from the underlined number. For instance, if you initially recorded 5, change it to 4.

Gas meters

Digital metric meter

This meter reading is 00544.

A digital metric meter possesses an electronic or digital display that exhibits five numbers followed by a decimal point and additional numbers.

To read the meter:

Digital imperial meter

This meter reading is 1860.

A digital imperial meter features an electronic or digital display revealing four black or white numbers, followed by two numbers displayed in red.

To read the meter:

Dial meter

The current reading on the meter is 7241.

A gas dial meter consists of at least 4 dials, each of which rotates to indicate a number between 0 and 9.

Each dial on your meter rotates in the opposite direction to the adjacent ones. Some dial meters begin with a clockwise dial, while others start with an anticlockwise dial. Before reading the meter, make sure to check the direction of your dials.

To obtain the reading:

- Start from the left and read the first 4 dials, disregarding any large or red dials.

- If the pointer falls between two numbers, record the lower number. However, if it is between 9 and 0, record 9.

- If the pointer directly aligns with a number, write down that number.

If you are unable to locate your meter on this page, it might be a smart meter. Find out how to read a smart gas meter or a smart electricity meter.

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