To read an electricity meter, find the kilowatt hour (kWh) register and write down the whole numbers, skipping any red or decimal digits. On a dial meter, read each dial left to right and take the lower number when a pointer sits between two. On a smart meter, wait for the screen to cycle to the register you need.
The reading is a running total, so one number tells you very little. Two readings taken a day or a billing period apart tell you exactly how much power the house used in between.
What type of electricity meter do I have?
Most Sydney homes have one of three meters: an older dial meter, a basic digital or rolling-number meter, or a smart meter with a screen that cycles through codes. The meter sits in the meter box, usually on an outside wall near the front of the house, or in a meter room in an apartment block.
| Meter type | What the display looks like | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Dial meter | A row of five or six small clock faces, numbered 0 to 9, with a spinning disc below | Read the dials left to right. Neighbouring dials turn in opposite directions, so follow the numbers, not the clock direction |
| Digital or rolling-number meter | A row of black-and-white number wheels, like an old car odometer, or a plain digital readout | Write down the whole numbers. Skip any digit in red or after the decimal point |
| Smart meter | An LCD screen that changes every few seconds, often with a small flashing light | Wait for the screen to cycle to the register code you need, then note the number beside it |
If you are not sure which one you have, the faceplate usually says. A smart meter will carry a brand name such as EDMI, Landis+Gyr or Secure, and an older accumulation meter will show a spinning aluminium disc or a mechanical counter.
How do you read a dial electricity meter?
Read each dial from left to right and write down the number the pointer has most recently passed. If a pointer sits between two numbers, take the lower one. If it sits between 9 and 0, write 9. If a pointer looks exactly on a number, check the dial to its right: if that dial has not yet passed 0, the pointer on the left has not really reached its number, so take the one below.
Dials on these meters alternate. The first turns clockwise, the next anticlockwise, and so on, which is why reading the numbers rather than the direction of travel matters. The result, for example 4 8 2 0 7, is the total kWh the meter has recorded since it was installed.
How do you read a smart meter?
A smart meter shows several registers in turn on one screen, each labelled with a short code, and you read the number that appears beside the code you want. Most screens cycle automatically every few seconds. Some have a button that steps through the screens by hand.
The codes vary with the meter model and the metering provider, so check the guide your retailer or metering provider publishes for your meter. As a general pattern on Australian meters:
- An E register (often shown as E1) is power you have imported from the grid on your general tariff.
- A second E register (E2 or similar) usually records a separate circuit, such as hot water on controlled load.
- A B register (often B1) is power exported back to the grid, which only appears on homes with solar.
- Other screens may show the date, the time, a test pattern or the meter number. Ignore these for usage.
In practice, you rarely need to read a smart meter by hand. A Type 4 smart meter records usage in 30 minute intervals and sends the data to your retailer remotely, and most retailers show that data in an app or online account. It is a far easier way to see when you use power, which matters on a time of use tariff, where the same kWh costs more in the weekday evening peak.
How do you work out your electricity usage from the meter?
Take one reading, take a second reading 24 hours later, and subtract the first from the second to get the kWh used that day. For example, a reading of 48207 one morning and 48225 the next means the house used 18 kWh. Multiply that by the usage rate on your bill to see what the day cost, before the daily supply charge.
The same method works over longer periods. Compare your own reading with the one printed on your last bill to check the retailer has charged you for the right amount. If you have several registers, do the sum for each one separately, because general power, controlled load and solar export are all billed at different rates.
Meter box looking tired, or need a smart meter changed over?
DM Electrical is a Level 2 ASP accredited with Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy, so we can replace old meter boards and change over meters. Based in Brookvale, serving the Northern Beaches and wider Sydney.
What does the flashing light on my electricity meter mean?
The flashing light is a pulse output, and each flash stands for a fixed amount of energy passing through the meter. The rate is printed on the faceplate as a figure followed by imp/kWh, meaning impulses per kilowatt hour. On a meter marked 1000 imp/kWh, each flash is one watt hour. The faster it flashes, the more power the house is drawing at that moment.
This gives you a simple standby check. Switch off everything you can, leave the fridge running, and watch the light. If it is still flashing quickly, something is drawing more power than expected, which is worth tracking down if your electricity bill is unusually high.
What if my bill says the reading was estimated?
An estimated read means the meter was not read that period, usually because the reader could not get access, and the retailer has based the bill on your past usage instead. The next actual read corrects the difference, which can leave you with a larger bill if the estimate was low. Many retailers will accept a self-read: you take the reading, often with a photo of the meter, and send it in. Ask your retailer how they take them.
Regular estimates are a sign the meter box is hard to reach, locked or obstructed. Clearing the access, or moving to a remotely read smart meter, stops the estimates.
Is it safe to open the meter box?
Opening the meter box door to read the meter is normal and safe, but do not touch the wiring, break any seals or remove covers inside it. The meter belongs to the metering provider and is sealed to stop tampering. Two things to look out for in older homes:
- A black or dark grey backing board may contain asbestos. Leave it undisturbed, and read our guide to asbestos meter board replacement before anyone works on it.
- Scorch marks, a burning smell or melted plastic mean a loose or overheating connection. Close the door, keep clear and call an electrician. If the fault looks to be on the supply side, before the meter, call Ausgrid on 13 13 88.
Work on the meter itself or on the mains that feed it is network work in NSW and must be done by a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider. If you need a newer meter, our smart metering page explains how a changeover works.
Frequently asked questions
Which number do I read on my electricity meter?
Read the kWh register, using the whole numbers only. Ignore any digits after a decimal point or shown in red. On a smart meter, read the number beside the register code for the tariff you want, such as E1 for general power.
What do E1 and B1 mean on a smart meter?
On many Australian smart meters, E1 is the electricity you have imported from the grid and B1 is the electricity your solar system has exported. Codes vary between meter models, so check your metering provider's guide for your meter.
How do I check how much electricity I use per day?
Write down the meter reading, take another exactly 24 hours later, and subtract the first from the second. The difference is the number of kWh used that day. A smart meter shows the same data in your retailer's app.
Can I tell if my electricity meter is faulty?
If the reading jumps for no reason, or your usage looks far higher than your appliances explain, ask your retailer to arrange a meter test. Some retailers charge a fee if the meter is found to be accurate, so ask before you book it.
The bottom line
Reading an electricity meter comes down to finding the right register and noting the whole numbers. Two readings a day apart show your daily usage, and a smart meter's app shows it hour by hour. If your meter box is old, sits on an asbestos board or shows signs of heat, or you want to move to a smart meter, get in touch and we can take care of the meter board and the changeover.