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How to read your gas or electricity meter

It's a good idea to know how to read your gas or electricity meters. You can keep an eye on the
energy you're using and give us your meter readings to make sure your energy bills are
accurate.
Our meter reading guide shows how to read different types of gas and electricity meters. And
to make it simple to follow, we've included pictures of meters so you know what to look for.

Your meter may not look quite like what's in our meter reading guide. If you're not sure what to
read, try comparing what's on your meter display to the reading shown on your last bill.
If you need any advice about reading your meter, please get in touch and we'll be happy to
help.

Reading your electricity meter

Digital meters

A digital electricity meter shows your current meter reading on a digital display. Here's how to
read it:

1. Read your meter display from left to right.


2. Ignore any numbers in red and anything that appears after a decimal point or space.
Economy 7/Domestic Economy meters

If you've got an Economy 7 or Domestic Economy meter, you'll have two rows of figures on
your digital display:

'Low' is the reading for night or off-peak units.

'Normal' is the reading for day or peak-time units.

You read your meter the same as a standard digital electricity meter.
Dial meters

Some older electricity meters have dials instead of a row of numbers. They're simple to read,
but it may help you to write down the numbers as you go.

An electric dial meter looks like this:


How to read an electric dial meter:

1. Read the dials from left to right. Ignore the dial marked 1/10.
2. If the pointer on a dial is between two numbers, write down the lower number. But if the
pointer is between zero and nine, it will always be nine. This is the case for the first and fourth
dial on the diagram above.
3. If the pointer is exactly on a number but the reading on the dial after it is nine, take one away
from that number. On the diagram above the pointer on the third dial is exactly on the seven.
But the reading on the fourth dial is a nine. So the reading on the third dial becomes six.

Example: This meter reading would be 94694

Two-rate meters

Some electricity tariffs use meters that show two readings when you press a button on the
meter. You may have a two-rate meter if you have Economy 7, Economy 10 or Evening and
Weekend tariff.

Once you're at your meter display:

1. Press the button on the front of your meter.


2. Your meter will show each reading with a label next to it. This could be 'R1' and 'R2', '1' and '2', 'L'
and 'N' or even 'low' and 'normal'. Which is your day reading and which is your night, depends on
how your meter is set up.

If you're not sure, check the previous readings on your most recent bill. This will show which
reading belongs to which rate.
3. You may have more than one electricity meter. If so, take your readings as explained above and
make a note of the meter serial number on each meter. The meter serial number is usually found
on the front of your meter. It may be on a sticker.

Reading your gas meter

Digital meters
Your gas meter will be imperial or metric. An imperial meter has four main numbers and a
metric meter has five.

How to read your imperial meter:

1. Read the first four numbers from left to right.


2. Include any zeros at the beginning, but don't include any numbers in red, or anything after a red
number.
3. If your meter has reached 9,999, it'll start recording from zero again.
How to read your metric meter:

1. Read the first five numbers from left to right.


2. Include any zeros at the beginning, but don't include anything after a space or decimal point.
3. Once your meter has reached 99,999, it'll start recording from zero again.
Dial gas meters

Some older gas meters have dials to read instead of a line of numbers.

A gas dial meter looks something like this:

How to read a gas dial meter:

1. Read all the dials from left to right, but ignore the large dial or any red dials. If the pointer is
between two numbers, write down the lower number.
2. If the pointer is between zero and nine, use nine. This is the case on the first and fourth dial on
the diagram above.
3. If the pointer is exactly on a number, write it down and underline it. So on the diagram above,
you'd write down and underline the number seven on the third dial.
4. If any of the numbers you have written down are followed by a nine, take one away from the
underlined number. As the third dial is followed by a nine on the fourth dial, you'd take one
away from the seven on the third dial making it six.

Example - This meter reading would be 9469


How smart meters will help with meter readings

With a smart meter, you won't have to read your meter. Smart meters send your readings to us
automatically - so no more estimated bills either.

Our handy in-home Smart Energy Tracker will display your usage as it happens. And with an
online account, you'll be able to see even more detail.
We'll write to you when we're fitting smart meters in your area, but if you can register your
interest in smart meters with us now.

Introducing smart meters


A quick lesson in meter reading
Electric use varies from household to household, depending upon the size of your
home, number and type of appliances and how you use them. Your electric meter keeps
track of it all for you. Electric meters record the total amount of electricity used. You can
look at your own usage by learning to read your own meter.

Is your meter a confusing object?


It needn't be. Meters are not difficult to read and they can provide you with information
about your energy conservation efforts. The explanation in this pamphlet provides you
with a quick lesson in meter reading.

Your electric meter measures the amount of electricity you use. Just as you purchase
pounds of meat, quarts of milk or gallons of gasoline, you buy kilowatt hours (kWh) of
electricity. One kWh of electricity supplies enough energy to light ten 100-watt lamps for
one hour.

Utility representatives use an electronic device to read your meter every month unless it
inaccessible due to locked gates, heavy foliage, unrestrained dogs or inclement weather
(flooding, etc.). When a meter cannot be read, an estimate is made by computer. Your
cooperation in creating a safe working environment for our employees is appreciated
and will eliminate the need for an estimated bill. Any difference between the estimate
and your actual energy is adjusted automatically on your next billing, provided actual
readings are obtained.

How to Read Your Electric Meter


Read all the dials from right to left, 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.
In This Example, the Reading Is 83895

Can You Show Me Step by Step?


DIAL 1: The pointer is directly on number 5. Record as 5.
DIAL 2: The pointer has just passed 9, and is between 9 and 0. Record as 9.
DIAL 3: The next dial has passed 8, and is between 8 and 9. Again, record the smaller
number which is 8.
DIAL 4: The pointer looks like it is right on the 4 but, the dial to its right has not passed
zero. So, you would record this dial as 3.
DIAL 5: The pointer is between 8 and 9. Record the smaller number which the pointer just
passed, which is 8.
Keep These Hints in Mind

Notice that the pointers on the first, third and fifth dial move in the same direction as the
hand of a clock. The second and fourth pointers move in the opposite direction.
Stand directly in front of the meter so you can clearly see the location of each pointer.
Read the numbers from RIGHT to LEFT, and write the numbers down in the same order
(from right to left).
If the pointer is between two numbers, read the number the pointer has just passed, always
the lowest number.
If the pointer is between 9 and 0, always read 9.
If the pointer appears to be exactly on a number, read the next lowest number
unless the pointer to its right has passed zero. Since the first dial has no dial to its right,
this does not apply to dial 1.
Want to try this out on your meter? Download this information in a pdf brochure.
Electrical safety tips
Electricity always seeks the easiest path to the ground. It tries to find a conductor, such
as metal, wet wood, or water. Never touch an energized bare wire or faulty appliance
while you are grounded, the electricity will instantly pass through you to the ground,
causing a harmful or fatal shock.

When you need to change a fuse or in case of fire or shock, turn off the main switch on
your service panel. If you don't have a main switch, turn off all circuit breakers.
Remember, do not tamper with the electric meter. You'll risk shock, explosion, or fire.

Children's natural curiosity can lead to electrical accidents. Teach children never to put
fingers or objects into an electrical outlet, toaster, or any other appliance, even if it's off.
Use plug covers in all your outlets.
How to read your electricity meter
Your meter reading will help us provide you an accurate bill. We use meter readings to
bill you for the actual amount of electricity you use (instead of estimating). Outside of
self-read areas, most meters are scheduled to be read every second month.

When we cannot access your meter, a meter reading card will be left for you. Use this
card to record your meter reading, then submit it online or to our 24-hour phone
recording line.

Many electricity meters have 4 dials. Meters with 5 dials or digital displays are also
common.

The meter number is displayed on your electricity meter. When entering your meter
number, do not include the letters MH. Instead, add another zero at the beginning to
make a 7-digit number. The above meter shows MH062189, so this meter number
would be 0062189.

Dial display:

1. Draw the exact position of the dials hands of your electricity meter on the blank dials on
the meter reading card.
2. From the position of the dial hands, record the meter reading under the dials. (See
example reading shown below.)

Digital display:

1. Wait for the electricity meter display to show the letters "kWh" along with the reading.
2. Record the meter reading on the lines under the dials on the meter reading card.
Submit your reading online or phone 204-453-6712 (Winnipeg) or 1-800-652-
4490 anytime and follow the prompts to provide your 7-digit meter number (a leading 0
and the 6-digit number found on the front of your electricity meter) and your meter
reading.

For assistance, contact your local office.

Start your new service or stop your current service (electricity and/or natural gas) and
change your address at manitobaaddresschange.ca.

Read more about your account.

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