How to read my business energy meter

Single rate digital meter

How to read this meter

   Write down all the numbers from left to right, including any zeros.

Ignore any numbers after the decimal point or which may be shown in red.  

The reading in this example is 07220.

Watch our video on How to read a single rate meter

Single rate 6 digital meter

How to read this meter

   Write down all the numbers from left to right, including any zeros.

Ignore any numbers after the decimal point or which may be shown in red.  

The reading in this example is 072201.

Two rate/Economy 7 meter

How to read this meter

   If you have an Economy 7 meter, you may be charged a lower rate for electricity used in off-peak hours. Read your contract to see if this applies for you, but if it does your meter should have two rows of numbers. The top row (marked 'LOW' or 'NIGHT') shows how many units of off-peak electricity you've used. The bottom row (marked 'NORMAL' or 'DAY') shows how many units of peak electricity you've used. Write down all the numbers from left to right, including any zeros. Ignore any numbers after the decimal point or which may be shown in red. 

The readings in this example are 556315 and 217457.

Watch our video on How to read a two rate dual display meter

Electronic meter

How to read this meter

  Your electronic meter may show just one or multiple screens. You'll need to scroll through to find your reading. Different electronic meters go through the information in different orders. Letters or numbers will come up on the display to show which rate the reading is for. For example:

• R1 or R2
• 1 or 2
• L or N
• Low or Normal

For all electronic meters:

• Ignore the red button
• Press the blue button to change the screen display to show what you want
• Write down all the numbers from left to right, including any zeros. Ignore any numbers after the decimal point or which may be shown in red

The reading in this example is 55868.

Dial meter

How to read this meter

• Each dial turns in the opposite direction to the one before it, so check which way each turns
• Read the five dials from left to right, ignoring the dial marked 1/10
• Write down the number that the pointer has just passed – it must be the lower of the two numbers either side of the pointer. If the pointer is between 9 and 0, write down 9
• If the pointer is exactly on a number and the following dial reads '9', you need to take one away from the number

Watch our video on How to read a dial meter

Wattless meter

How to read this meter

A wattless meter differs from a normal single rate meter in that it records in units kVArh. Write down all the numbers from left to right, including any zeros. Ignore any numbers after the decimal point or which may be shown in red.

The reading in this example is 24621.

Gas digital imperial meter

How to read this meter

Write down all the numbers from left to right, including any zeros. Ignore any numbers after the decimal point or which may be shown in red.

The reading in this example is 2988.

Watch our video on How to read an imperial meter

5-digit electronic meter

How to read this meter

Write down all the numbers from left to right, including any zeros. Ignore any numbers after the decimal point or which may be shown in red.

The reading in this example is 00254.

Gas digital metric meter

How to read this meter

Write down all the numbers from left to right, including any zeros. Ignore any numbers after the decimal point or which may be shown in red.

The reading in this example is 75193.

Watch our video on How to read an digital metric meter

Dial meter

How to read this meter

• Each dial turns in the opposite direction to the one before it, so check which way each turns
• Read the four dials from left to right along the bottom row only – ignore any others
• Write down the number closest to each pointer
• When the pointer is between two numbers, write down the lower number. If the pointer is between 9 and 0, write down 9
• If the pointer is exactly on a number and the following dial reads '9', you need to take one away from the number