How to read your gas and electricity meters and why it matters

Reading your electricity and gas meters is simple when you know how! In this post we’ll:

• Provide a guide to help you understand what type of meter you have
• Explain how to read your meter
• Explain why keeping track of your usage is so important

Before diving in, it’s essential to know that there are primarily three types of meters - analogue, digital and smart.

Analogue meters – these can resemble a series of clocks, or rotating dials

Digital meters – a digital display shows your current reading

Smart meters – the future! Smart meters communicate with us directly, so you shouldn’t have to read it yourself. We take regular readings automatically, ensuring your bills are accurate and up to date. We can also communicate back to the smart meter to grab past readings. You may have an AMR (automated meter reading) meter. This meter sends readings to us, but we cannot communicate back, an early version of a smart meter.

How to read your meter

1. Locate your meter(s) - These could be outside the property, in a cupboard or basement.

2. Take a reading – 

• For analogue, glance at each dial and note the numbers they point to. For Economy 7 meters you’ll have two rows of dials, one for low (night) and one for normal (day). Read the dials from left to right. Be mindful that the needles may land between two numbers. Please click on this guide on how to read analogue meters when in doubt.
• For digital, simply record the number displayed. For multi rate meters, scroll through the screens using the cycle display button.
• Smart meter – you don’t need to do anything, meter reads are submitted automatically

3. Record the date – It’s helpful to note the date you took the readings, so you can track your usage over time.

Remember please only read your meter if it’s safe to do so.

Why are meter readings important?

1. Awareness of usage – by regularly checking your meter, you become more aware of how much electricity and gas your business uses. Smaller, consistent changes can lead to significant savings and growth. Please see this page for energy saving tips.

2. Budgeting – understanding your usage can help you budget better. You can anticipate and manage your monthly costs better by knowing your consumption patterns. 

3. Detecting issues – if you notice a spike in usage, it could indicate a problem with an appliance, or a new appliance using more than you anticipated! You can sort this before it becomes costly.

4. Sustainability – keeping an eye on your consumption, aligns with sustainable practices. By understanding your usage, you can identify opportunities to grow by reducing waste and lowering your carbon footprint.

How to provide meter readings to us

We have various easy ways for you to provide meter readings.

• Online via MyAccount
• Login or download the app and send us a picture of your meter reading
• Give us a call on 0330 912 9959 *
• Email us a picture of your meter reading with your account number for reference hellobusiness@edfenergy.com
• WhatsApp us 07782 569 959 *

The future is smart! 

We know you have a growing business to run, and you want to manage your energy quickly and easily. The benefits of having a smart meter are plentiful. We communicate with the meter and take readings directly from it, so you don’t have to! We can also fetch past readings at the click of the button should any queries arise. This ensures accurate readings all the time, leaving you to deal with what’s important to you: Your business.

Get a smart meter today!

Book your smart meter install for a time and date that suits you. Log into MyAccount and click on Smart meters. Need an out of hours appointment? We've got you covered with out of hours slots to work around your business needs.