With energy bills for many UK residents set to rise from January 1 as some energy companies hike their unit rates, billpayers across the board are being asked to take and submit meter readings to ensure they are charged correctly, and don't end up overpaying.
And while the task can come naturally to some, others may be confused how to do so - having never had to submit their energy statistics before.
Those with smart meters or pre-payment meters are in the clear, with smart meters automatically taking and submitting meters for consumers and pre-payment devices going off a pay as you go basis.
Read more: What to expect as energy price cap rises from January 1
However, if you're still on a traditional meter and pay on a monthly basis, it's wise to learn how to read your meters and send off the figures to avoid being overcharged. Here Chronicle Live breaks it down for you.
How do I take a meter reading?
Electricity meters
Electricity meters come in a number of shapes and sizes, so here's how you read each of them - according to the Citizen's Advice Bureau.
Single rate digital meter
- Simply note the first 5 numbers shown from left to right
Two rate digital meter
Citizen's Advice says: "If you get cheaper electricity at certain times, you might have a two rate (or ‘dual-rate’) meter. This means it will have 2 rows of numbers. The top row (labelled ‘low’ or ‘night’) shows how many units of cheaper electricity you’ve used.
"The bottom row (labelled ‘normal’ or ‘day’) shows how many units of standard-price electricity you’ve used."
- Read both the top and bottom rows while noting down the numbers shown from left to right
- You can ignore the numbers in red
Two rate single display meter
Citizens Advice says: "Some two rate (or ‘dual rate’) meters only have 1 digital display. They will either flash up the different rate readings in a cycle or have a button that you need to press to make the display cycle through the readings for the different rates.
"To read the meter write down the numbers shown left to right, for each reading."
- Note the numbers shown left to right for both readings
Dial meter
Citizen's Advice states: "An electricity dial meter has 5 or more dials. They each turn to point to a number between 0 and 9. Each dial on your meter will turn in the opposite direction to the ones next to it.
"Some dial meters start with a clockwise dial and some start with an anticlockwise dial - check the direction of your dials before you read them."
- Read the first 5 dials from left to right, while ignoring any red dials or dials marked 1/10
- If the pointer is between two numbers, write down the lower number - if it’s between 9 and 0, write down 9
- If the pointer is directly over a number, write down that number and underline it
Gas meters
Digital metric meter
- Write down the first 5 numbers shown from left to right while ignoring any numbers in red or after the decimal point
Digital imperial meter
- Jot the first 4 numbers from left to right, while ignoring the rest of the numbers
Dial meter
Citizen's Advice states: " A gas dial meter has 4 or more dials. Each one turns to point to a number between 0 and 9. Each dial on your meter will turn in the opposite direction to the ones next to it.
"Some dial meters start with a clockwise dial and some start with an anticlockwise dial - check the direction of your dials before you read them."
- Read the first 4 dials from left to right, while ignoring the large dials or red dials
- If the pointer is between two numbers, write down the lower number - if it’s between 9 and 0, write down 9
- If the pointer is directly over a number, write down that number
How do I submit a meter reading?
After you've noted your readings, you will be able to send them to your supplier via a variety of avenues. These include texts and phone calls, although you may also be able to submit readings on your supplier's website or official mobile application should they have one.
For proof, you should also be sure to take a photo of your readings, in case the supplier requests evidence.
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