Read Your Meter
We would like to help you understand how to read your electricity and gas meters. Perhaps you have received an estimated bill or a meter reader has been unable to access your meter. Whatever your reasons, we would like to make it as simple as possible for you.
What would you like to do?
- When should I read my meter?
- Why should I read my own meter?
- How to read your electricity meter?
- How to read your gas meter?
- How do I enter a meter reading?
- Give us your own meter reading
When should my meter be read?
We usually read your meter every two months, so each alternate bill may be estimated based on your previous electricity/gas usage.
The frequency of your meter being read largely depends on the placement of the meter in your property. If your meter is placed in a restricted area then the number of actual reads by meter readers may be reduced. Factors that could cause this restriction are such things as alarms, locked gates and guard dogs. However, there are ways that we can arrange secure access, so please contact us on 0800 300 400. Alternatively, you can arrange to have your meter read at a time that is convenient to you; there is, however, a small fee for this service.
Why I should read my own meter?
When you receive an estimated bill you can always check our estimate with the actual meter reading. If the two readings vary greatly then you may wish to provide us with your reading. This has the advantage of:
- Billing you to a reading based on your actual usage as opposed to an estimate. This may have the effect of reducing fluctuations between actual and estimated bills.
- Allowing you to have more control over your usage. Monitoring your own electricity and /or natural gas readings will allow you to view your usage pattern and identify if any sudden increases occur, rather than having to wait until the next actual reading by a meter reader.
How do I enter a meter reading?
If you have more than one meter at the property you must enter a reading for all meters regardless if the readings have changed or not. If one meter reading hasn't changed then you simply re-enter the same reading as stated on your last bill.
If you have a problem with your actual bill and would like to query the reading taken then you can either email us or contact the Customer Care Team, 0800 300 400 Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm. Or you if you are a business customer contact our Specialist Business Team, 0800 600 900 Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.