If your supplier doesn't get readings, it estimates your use. Estimates can be too high, so you overpay, or too low, so a big catch-up bill arrives later. A reading a month avoids both.
Standard digital meter
Write down the numbers from left to right. Ignore any numbers after a decimal point or in red. Most electricity meters show five digits.
Dial meter
Read each dial from left to right. If a pointer is between two numbers, write down the lower one. If it's between 9 and 0, write down 9. Ignore any red dial.
Economy 7 meter
There are two readings: one for day and one for night (sometimes labelled "low" and "normal", or rate 1 and rate 2). You may need to press a button to switch between them. Send both.
Smart meter
A working smart meter sends readings automatically. If your bills say "estimated", it may have stopped talking to your supplier. Tell them, and send a reading from the meter's screen in the meantime.
Gas meter
Gas meters show units in cubic metres or cubic feet. Your supplier converts these to kWh on your bill, so just send the numbers shown.
When to send a reading
- Once a month, or when your supplier asks.
- When you switch supplier, so you're only billed for what you used.
- When you move in and out of a home.
- Before the price cap changes on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October.
Take a photo of the meter each time. If there's ever a dispute, a dated photo helps.
Sources
Wording checked . Rules change, so check the linked sources before you act.