How to read your meter

Each household’s electricity use from month to month can vary greatly depending upon the size of the home and the type of electronic devises used therein. Your home is equipped with an electric meter that keeps track of the total amount of electricity used for you. A simple way to monitor your own usage is by learning to read your meter.

Your electric meter consists of dials that measure the amount of kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity you buy each month. Once you have learned to read your home’s meter, it can provide you with information about your energy conservation efforts.

Example

example

The meter shown in the example above has a final reading of 38576.

DIAL 1: The pointer is directly on number 3. Record as 3.
DIAL 2: The pointer has just passed 8, and is between 8 and 9. Record as 8.
DIAL 3: The next dial has passed 5, and is between 5 and 6. Record smaller number 5.
DIAL 4: The pointer looks like it is right on the 7. Record as 7.
DIAL 5: The pointer is between 6 and 7. Record the smaller number 6.

Tips for reading your meter

  • Read all the dials and write the numbers down from right to left.
  • When the hand on any dial is between two numbers, read the smaller number.
  • If the pointer appears to be exactly on a number, record the next lowest number unless the pointer on the dial to its right has passed zero.
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