How to take a smart meter reading

Taking meter readings is important to ensure you pay the correct amount for your energy usage. Without them, your supplier has to estimate, which often results in either being charged too much (and building up credit) or too little (and slipping into debt). If the latter happens, you could be hit with a steep bill further down the line.

However, in the last few years, energy suppliers have introduced smart meters. A faff-free and efficient alternative to traditional standard meters, they automatically record your electricity reading in real-time and your gas usage every 30 minutes. No more calendar reminders, no more inaccurate bills.

Although, you will need to send a one-off reading from your smart meter if you’ve just switched supplier or there’s a signal fault and your supplier can’t connect. Can’t find the instructions? No problem, we’ll talk you through how to read a smart meter.

How to read a gas smart meter

When a smart meter is installed, it normally comes with a small portable monitor called an ‘in-home display’. Plug this in and it’ll tell you how much energy you’ve been using, and how much it’s costing you.

Depending on your provider, you might be able to take a smart meter reading (for both gas and electricity if they’re from the same supplier) by simply selecting the ‘meter reading’ option on the screen. If that’s not an option, you’ll need to take the numbers directly from the smart meter…

Follow the below instructions on how to get a meter reading from a smart meter

If there are 3 square red buttons under the screen:

Press the left button
Write down the numbers displayed on the screen
Ignore any zeros at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point (if there is one)

If there are ‘A’ and ‘B’ buttons under the screen:

Press the A button until you see ‘METER INDEX’ on the screen and numbers followed by ‘M3’
Write down the numbers
Ignore any zeros at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point (if there is one)

For example, if the screen displayed [000135.658] the meter reading would be: 135

If there is a keypad:

Press number 9, you’ll see ‘VOLUME’ on the screen. Wait a moment and this will change to numbers followed by ‘M3’
Write down the numbers
Ignore any zeros at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point (if there is one)

If there is a circle button and two arrow buttons:

Press the circle button
Write down the numbers
Ignore any zeros at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point (if there is one)

If there are orange and blue buttons:

Press the orange button
Write down the numbers
Ignore any zeros at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point (if there is one)

If there are two white buttons to the right of the screen:

Press the button on the far right
Write down the numbers
Ignore any zeros at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point (if there is one)

If there is a button either side of the screen:

Press either one of the buttons
Wait until numbers appear on the screen, they will start with ‘01’ and finish with ‘M3’
Write down the numbers
Ignore any zeros at the beginning and any numbers after the decimal point (if there is one)

For example, if the screen displayed [01 12345.678 M3], your meter reading would be: 12345

Please note, no matter the make or model, your gas meter reading will always display M3 at the end of the number. If it says ‘KWH’ you’re actually looking at your electricity meter…

Smart meters vs standard meters

As part of the government’s drive towards a cleaner energy system, more and more households are being encouraged to have smart meters installed, but are they really any better than standard meters? In short, yes.

As well as saving consumers the hassle of monthly or quarterly meter readings and inaccurate bills, smart meters enable the close tracking of usage and spend. This helps twofold - by explicitly seeing how much energy you’re using, it often encourages people to be more eco-conscious, and it helps with budgeting too.

On top of that, many energy suppliers now offer better tariffs to households with smart meters (or households that agree to have one installed).

Getting a smart meter installed

It’s a pretty straightforward process to get a smart meter fitted. Most energy suppliers will do it for free and it normally takes only an hour or so. The supplier will contact you to arrange a time and date and they will tell you if there’s anything specific you need to do before the visit. The meter will typically be installed exactly where the old one was.

If you’re a tenant wanting to get a smart meter installed, you should always ask the landlord for permission first.

Have you just moved into the property? Read ‘How to set up gas & electricity in your first home’ to get started.

A few final tips...

Energy is a hot topic in the press at the moment, as prices are soaring and providers are going bust. If your supplier does collapse, we can reassure you that you won’t be left in the cold with no electricity or heating. There are systems in place to protect you, but it is important to understand what you do (and don’t) have to do. Read ‘What happens if my energy company collapses?’ to find out more.

If you live with housemates, you’ll know that working out who owes what for the utility bills can be more than a little frustrating sometimes. So save yourself the hassle and download an app instead. We’ve rounded up the ‘5 best apps for splitting rental bills’ here.

And lastly, as the cold weather sets in, get ahead of the game and read ‘12 top tips on keeping you home warm this winter’ and ‘How to bleed your radiator: 7 simple steps’ - it’ll make all the difference!