As a domestic energy customer in Ireland sometimes you’ll be required to take a meter reading to send to your new or existing supplier.
There are a few different types of meters that exist which means the way you take a reading may be slightly different depending on the one you have in your home.
However, customers will be glad to know that the meter reading process is straightforward.
Below we identify each meter type and explain how to take an accurate reading.
There are four main types of electricity meter:
This is the most common type of meter found in homes in Ireland and is also known as a ‘spinning disk’ meter as a disc can be seen slowly revolving as electricity is used.
Your electricity consumption is displayed in kWhs.
There are two types of mechanical meter:
How to take a reading
Some domestic customers may have an electronic or digital meter installed in their homes. This type of meter displays your energy usage via an electronic display.
There are two types of electronic meter:
How to take a reading with a 24-hour electronic meter
How to take a reading with a NightSaver electronic meter
Each electronic NightSaver meter will have a display button which allows you to scroll through the information on screen. The most common meter has a blue button but this isn’t always the case.
An arrow may appear in the display but this is not a decimal point.
Customers with a PAYG or prepay electricity tariff will have a prepayment meter installed in their home or place of residence. Each meter has a digital display and a keypad.
How to take a reading
The rollout of smart meters began in Ireland in 2019 by ESB Networks and by 2024 every home in Ireland should have one. This new type of meter can communicate directly with your energy supplier and send them real-time data about your energy usage, eliminating the need for a manual meter reading.
Initially your meter will continue to be read manually by ESB Networks, but from 2021 readings will begin to be taken automatically.
However, if you would like to take a manual reading of your smart meter here’s how you can do it.
How to take a reading
The main display screen of your smart meter will show your up-to-date meter reading in kWhs.
There are four main types of gas meters:
This is similar to the standard electricity ‘spinning disk’ meter and displays your gas consumption in m³.
How to take a reading
A digital meter differs from a standard meter in that your energy consumption is shown on an electronic display. With most digital meters you will need to press the red ‘A’ button to activate the meter’s display for a reading.
How to take a reading
A dial meter displays a series of dials or clock faces. Your meter reading should be taken from the series of four dials, usually on the bottom of the meter display. You can disregard the other separate dials.
How to take a reading
A PAYG or prepay meter is used for customers who are on a PAYG tariff. The meters installed by Gas Networks Ireland look similar to digital meters and have an electronic display screen. However, prepayment gas meters have a slot for a gas card so customers can transfer over credit.
How to take a reading
If you’ve misplaced or don’t yet have a meter key get in touch with us at bonkers.ie and we’ll send you one in the post free of charge.
You can request your free meter key by sending us an email or else by getting in touch with us on social media via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.