Each electric meter works in a slightly different way - here's how to read your electricity meter at home.
The most common types of electricity meters are single-rate digital meters, variable-rate digital meters and dial meters.
Single-rate digital electricity meters
Electricity meters measure energy use in kilowatt hours (kWh). A single-rate meter has one set of numbers to refer to.
1. Write down all the numbers before the decimal point, from left to right.
2. Ignore any numbers after the decimal point (which may be shown in red).
Dial electricity meters
This type of meter shows a series of clock-style dials with numbers from zero to nine. Each dial turns in the opposite direction to the dial before it.
Some meters show a series of clock-style dials
1. To take a reading, start with the left dial and write down the number indicated by the pointer on each dial, moving towards the right.
2. If the pointer is between two numbers, record the lower of the two. If the pointer is between nine and zero, record it as nine.
3. Ignore any red dials.
Variable-rate electricity meters
Economy 7 or White Meter meters have two displays (or the ability to switch between two different displays) with readings for daytime and night energy use. The display marked 'low' or 'night' shows how many units of off-peak electricity you've used. The display marked 'normal' or 'day' shows how many units of peak electricity you have used.
1. To take a reading, write down the numbers from both displays, ignoring any figures in red.
Economy 7 meters have the capacity to display two readings
2. Economy 10 meters have an additional display to record the electricity you use during three different time periods instead of two - including daytime use.
How to read your gas meter
The most common types of gas meter are digital metric, digital imperial and dial meters. Here we explain how to read each type of meter.
Gas meters explained
All gas meters display a single four or five digit number indicating the number of gas units you've used.
You can work out how many units you've used by subtracting your previous reading from an up-to-date one. Your supplier converts the number of gas units you've used into kilowatt hours (kWh) and displays this on your gas bill. A kWh is a measurement of energy based on how much energy one kilowatt of gas produces in an hour.
Digital metric meter
Digital metric gas meters measure gas usage in cubic meters (m3) and usually show 'M' or 'M3'.
1. Write down all the numbers before the decimal point, left to right.
Digital metric gas meters measure gas usage in cubic meters
2. Ignore any numbers after the decimal point (which may be shown in red).
Digital imperial meter
This is an older style of gas meter that measures gas in cubic feet (ft3) - it will usually show the words 'cubic feet' or the letters 'Ft'.
1. Write down the four numbers from left to right.
2. Ignore any numbers shown in red.
Dial meter
This type of gas meter shows a series of clock-style dials with numbers from zero to nine.
This type of gas meter features clock-style dials numbered from 0 to 9
1. Start with the left dial and write down the number indicated by the pointer, moving towards the right. If the pointer is between two numbers, record the lower of the two. However, if the pointer is between nine and zero, record it as nine.
2. Ignore any red dials.
You can find your MPRN on your gas bill, not on the meter itself. If you have just moved into your home and do not have a gas bill, you can call the National Grid's meter number helpline
Once you've found your MPRN, compare energy prices with us and start your switch today.
Calculating gas use
Most people use more energy in the winter months for heating and lighting
Although gas meters measure the amount of gas used in hundreds of cubic feet or cubic metres, gas bills display your use in kilowatt hours (kWh). The industry standard formula for converting cubic measurements to kWh is as follows.
Subtract your current gas meter reading from your previous reading to work out how many cubic meters or feet you have used.
If your measure is in cubic feet, multiply by 2.83 to convert to meters.
Multiply by 1.02264.
Multiply by the 'calorific value' (find this on your bill, or ask your gas supplier).
Divide by 3.6 to work out your kWh figure
Multiply the kWh figure by your pence per kWh rate (find this on your bill, or ask your gas supplier) to give the cost of gas used.
Text Referred From switch.which.co.uk
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