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How to Read Your Meter

We collect automated meter readings for most of our customers now, but you can still read your meter and track your usage yourself. Regardless of whether you want to track your gas or electric usage, there are two basic types of meters – dial meters and digital meters.

Diagram of a dial meter readingThe dial is between 7 and 8, and we record the smaller number.The dial is between two numbers, so we'll record the smaller one. Because 0 is a complete turn, we consider 9 the smaller number.The dial appears to be directly on 6, so check the dial to the right. The dial to the right is a 9, meaning this dial is actually at 5.9, which is between 5 and 6. We'll record it as a 5.Start reading with this dial. The dial appears to be directly on 3, so check the dial to the right. The dial to the right is not on 9, so we'll record this as a 3.

Dial Meter

A dial meter may seem tricky at first, but it won’t take long to get the hang of it. The reading for the above meter is 3-5-9-7. Review the rules below and hover over the dials in the image to follow how we got this reading:

  • Record your numbers from left to right.
  • If the hand is pointed between two numbers, always record the smaller number. NOTE: We count 0 as the highest number the dial can reach because it signifies a complete turn, so treat 9 as the lower number when the dial is between 9 and 0.
  • If a hand points directly on a number, check the dial to the right. If the dial to the right was a 9, subtract one before recording the number on the dial. Otherwise, record it as is.
  • Don't be confused by the direction of the dials - they will alternate between clockwise and counterclockwise
Diagram of a digital meter reading

Digital Meter

With a digital meter, the numbers are read from left to right. The reading for the digital meter pictured above would be 0 - 0 - 4 - 0 -8.