How do I read my electricity meter?
Your electricity meter measures the amount of electricity you use in
kilowatt-hours (kWh). For example, a 100-watt light bulb burning for 10 hours
uses one-kilowatt hour.
Reading your meter often, along with careful observation of the weather and
the appliances you use, can help you manage energy consumption and evaluate the
effectiveness of your appliances. By noting high-consumption activities, such
as air conditioning in the summer, you’ll be able to determine where your
energy dollars are going. It’s also the best way to know exactly how much
electricity you’re using — and how much your energy-saving measures are
reducing your electricity usage.
Types of Meters
There are two types of electricity meters: dial and digital. With a little
practice, both are fairly easy to read and understand.
Digital Meters
With digital meters, all you have to do is read the meter like the mileage
odometer in your car. Every time the number increases, that's another
kilowatt-hour used.
Dial Meters
Each dial on this meter represents one digit in the total number of
kilowatt-hours you've used since the last time your meter was read. Most meters
have five dials with 10 numbers and a pointer that turns when electricity is
being used. Look closely, and you'll see that the numbers go around the face
clockwise on some of the dials, and counter-clockwise on every other dial.
How to Read your Meter
Read the dials starting with the meter on the far right and ending with the far
left, writing down the numbers in the same order.
Write down the number that each hand has just passed. Remember that some
dials have counterclockwise numbers and every other meter has clockwise
numbers.
If a hand is directly on a number, look at the dial to its immediate right.
If that hand has just passed zero, write down the number that the left meter is
pointing to. If that hand has not passed zero, write down the last number that
the meter on the left has passed.
Making Sense of Your Meter Reading
Once you’ve learned how to read your meter, it's easy to figure out how much
electricity you've used since your last electric bill.
- Look at last month’s electric bill to find the recorded reading.
- Subtract last month's reading from the number you just took off your
meter.
- The result is the total number of kilowatt-hours you've used since your
last reading.
Total Days Between Readings May Vary
Your meter is read once a month. Because of weekends, holidays or the length of
the month, the total days between each meter reading may vary. This is why it’s
possible for your monthly usage to increase or decrease from the previous
billing period even though your average daily use remains the same.
