You can monitor your energy usage by reading your electric meter, which can help you save money on your utility bills. It also lets you know if your electric company has overcharged you. Stand before the meter and record the numbers displayed on each dial or digit. If a dial hand is directly on a number and has not passed zero, use the lowest number recorded.

Dials

There are two kinds of electric meters: dials and digital displays. Dials are similar to clock faces with digits 0-9 and a pointer like a hand that moves as electricity flows through the meter. Each digit represents one kilowatt-hour of power used. The meter reads the total of your kilowatt hours each month and records them similar to car odometers that record the cumulative total of miles driven.

When you read a traditional electric meter, you must stand directly in front of it at eye level to read the dials. The dials move alternately counterclockwise and clockwise. When the pointer rests between two numbers, write down the lower number unless it is between zero and nine, in which case you should write down the 9.

A digital display works differently from a dial meter because instead of individual numbers, there are rolls of digital numbers that rotate like a rotor. The digital meter reading method is the same as with a rotary display, but you must carefully note that the digits rotate clockwise and counterclockwise.

Also, a digital meter may have a ‘Low’ and ‘Normal’ setting, and you must subtract the low from the normal to calculate the kilowatt-hour usage for the current period. So, can you read your own electric meter? Regardless of your meter type, it’s important to learn how to read your meter to calculate your power usage and spot discrepancies between your meter reading and your monthly power bill.

Pointers

You can determine how much electricity you use monthly by reading the meter and subtracting that number from your power bill. The information on your meter is in kilowatt-hours or kWh. It will be a valuable resource in tracking your home’s energy usage and encouraging you to make smarter energy choices, such as using less power during peak hours or investing in energy-efficient appliances and thermostats.

If you have a dial meter, stand directly in front of it, at eye level, and observe how the pointer moves. Each dial has ten numbers (0-9), and the position of the tip determines the number that indicates your consumption since the last reading.

Start with the first dial and record the number it points to (as shown in the image above). If the pointer is near a two-digit number, choose the lower number. For example, if the dial appears to point directly at 9, record the number 8.

The method for reading digital meters is slightly different but equally easy. Read the digits in each row from left to right. If your meter has two rate readings, there will likely be a label that shows the ‘low’ or night reading and the ‘normal’ or day reading. You’ll need to submit the reading for both rates.

Numbers

The numbers on your electric meter represent how many kilowatt hours (kWh) you’ve used. Knowing how to read the numbers can help you spot discrepancies between your reading and the power company’s charges. It can also help you find ways to save energy and make sure the services you pay for are the ones you’re getting.

The dials on the meter turn both clockwise and counterclockwise. It’s important to note the direction each one is moving and to read them from right to left. If you see a hand that seems to be directly over a number, always record the lower number. For example, if the arrow on a dial is between 9 and 0, you would write down 9, not 9.

Some meters will have a digital display rather than dials, but knowing how to read them is still helpful. Start with the first digit and write it down from left to right, ignoring any numbers with a red background. Once you’ve written down all of the numbers, subtract the starting number from the end number to get your total kWh usage for the period.

Repeat this process each month, and you’ll be able to track your energy consumption and spot any issues with your service. You can also compare your meter readings with the numbers recorded by the power company to double-check their accuracy.

Directions

Your meter tracks energy usage in kilowatt hours (kWh), much like a car odometer records the total number of miles driven. The more power you use, the faster the gears will rotate inside your electric meter and the higher the running total displayed on its dials or digital display.

To read your meter:

1. Stand directly in front of it with your eyes at eye level.
2. Start with the dial at the very right and move your gaze left to right, reading each number as it appears on the dial.
3. Write down that value if the pointer seems to be pointed directly at a number. If the tip is between two numbers, take the lower number.

Each dial is labeled with a number, often followed by ‘Low’ and ‘Normal,’ or ‘R1’ and ‘R2’, depending on the rate you are charged at. If you are unsure which is your low and normal reading, check the previous readings on your most recent utility bill for clarification.

You can also learn to read a digital electric meter with a screen displaying the energy used in clean, easy-to-read digits. It is more complicated than using the rotating dials of an analog meter, but still not hard to do. The key to reading a digital meter is subtracting the prior month’s total kWh consumption from your current reading to determine how much energy you use this month.