Reading the electricity meter: It's that easy
Once a year, consumers are asked by their metering point operator – usually the locally responsible grid operator – to read their electricity meter and report the current meter reading. It is worthwhile to comply with this request: because the information on the electricity actually consumed in the household not only serves the electricity suppliers for invoicing, but also as a basis for calculating the monthly advance payment, colloquially also Power discount for the coming year.
Where can I find my electricity meter?
Usually the electricity meter is located in the basement, but this varies from property to property. In rented apartments, it is often found in a storage room or in the hallway next to the main fuse box. Other options are the hallway or a separate house connection room. Tenants can ask their landlord or property management about the location if they are unsure.
How do I read the electricity meter correctly?
For the correct reading of your electricity meter, you need two pieces of information: the meter number and the meter reading. The meter number is important so that the electricity consumed can be assigned to the right appliance and thus to the right household. The meter reading itself shows the electricity consumption of the respective household in kilowatt hours.If you have a dual tariff or bidirectional meter, you must report several meter readings. More on this in the section "Why does my electricity meter show two meter readings?".
Most analogue meters show one or more decimal places, which must also be read and reported to the metering point operator. However, many do without Electricity providers to include the value after the decimal point in the statement.
What do I have to consider when reading a digital electricity meter?
In contrast to analogue meters, digital electricity meters, also known as modern metering devices (mME), usually no longer show a decimal place. You can read the meter reading directly on the display of modern meters.
How do I read a smart meter?
Do you already have a Smart Meters, you don't even have to read it anymore. This is because smart meters or intelligent metering systems (iMSys) automatically report consumption at regular intervals to the metering point operator and from there to the electricity supplier.
Where can I find the meter number?
The number of the electricity meter is often located near the printed barcode in the upper or lower area of the performance plate. To make sure you're reading the correct meter, you can match the meter number on the device with the number on your last utility bill. The numbers must be identical, otherwise the metering point operator's request could refer to an incorrect meter – for example, that of a co-tenant. It is also possible that the device has been replaced in the meantime or that the meter read is mistakenly not the electricity meter, but the gas or water meter.
How can I report my meter reading?
Many consumers receive a card for the customer's self-reading directly with the written notification of the annual electricity meter reading. Fill them out and send them back to the metering point operator by post. Most operators also allow digital transmission, for example via a customer portal. In this case, customers often receive an email request for a reading.
Why does my electricity meter show two meter readings?
Some meters show two meter readings. In this case, it is either a dual tariff meter or a bidirectional meter.
Dual tariff meters distinguish between two tariffs that are billed at different kilowatt prices. This is relevant, for example, for electricity customers who, in addition to their normal electricity tariff, have a special heating electricity tariff, for example for their Heat pump or use a night storage heater. The high tariff (HT) indicates the electricity consumed during the day and the low tariff (NT) the nightly consumption.
Bidirectional meters, on the other hand, combine reference meters (1.8.0) and feed-in meters (2.8.0) in one device. For example, if you operate your own photovoltaic system, you have such a bidirectional meter. On the one hand, it measures how much of the self-produced solar power flows into the public grid. On the other hand, it records how much electricity is drawn from the public grid.
In the case of dual tariff and bidirectional meters, you must enter both meter readings on the customer self-reading card sent to you or in the corresponding online form. Fields with the respective counter designations are provided for this purpose – i.e. HT/NT or 1.8.1/1.8.2 for dual tariff meters and 1.8.0/2.8.0 for bidirectional meters.
Correct reading of dual tariff meters and bidirectional meters
Dual tariff meter
The meter number of your analogue dual tariff meter is located above or below the turntable.
You can record the meter readings of your analogue high and low tariff meter under the respective abbreviation HT or NT.
If you have a digital dual tariff meter, the display rolls between the meter designations 1.8.1 for the high tariff and 1.8.2 for the low tariff. Some digital meters have a larger display and show both meter readings below each other. The abbreviations HT and NT are usually no longer found here.
Bidirectional counter
Analogue bidirectional meters have two separate displays, each labelled "Purchase" and "Delivery" (feed-in). Both values can be read accordingly and transmitted to the provider.
The meter number of the analogue bidirectional meter is usually located above the meter readings.
In the case of digital bidirectional meters, the meter readings automatically roll back and forth between the counter designations 1.8.0 and 2.8.0.
The meter reading next to the number 1.8.0 shows how many kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity were purchased. The meter reading next to the key figure 2.8.0 indicates how many kilowatt hours of electricity have been fed into the power grid.
The meter number of the digital bidirectional meter is usually located below the digital display with the meter readings.
How to correctly read a bidirectional multi-tariff meter
Anyone who owns a heat pump and a PV system has a so-called bidirectional double tariff meter, also known as a bidirectional multi-tariff meter. These meters record both the consumption relevant for a dual tariff and the grid feed-in of self-produced electricity. They show how many kilowatt hours of electricity have been purchased in general (meter designation 1.8.0), during the day (HT or 1.8.1) and at night (NT or 1.8.2), as well as the feed-in into the power grid (2.8.0).
The following table shows the key figures or abbreviations associated with the meter readings:
We answer frequently asked questions:
What is the difference between electricity and gas meters?
The gas meter should not be confused with the electricity meter, which can be easily distinguished from it based on the unit measured: electricity meters measure consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh), gas meters measure the volume flow in cubic meters (m³). When billing, the consumption is later converted into kWh. Good to know: With the gas meter, the decimal places do not have to be read, as they are not relevant for gas billing. You can find out how to read your gas meter correctly and calculate your consumption in our article "Reading the gas meter“.
Why do I have to read the electricity meter?
There is no legal obligation to read the electricity meter. Nevertheless, you should report your meter reading to the metering point operator at least once a year. If you do not do this, your electricity supplier must calculate your consumption for the annual bill. By reading and reporting the correct meter reading, you ensure that you only pay for the electricity you actually use.
How is the electricity consumption estimated?
In order to determine the electricity consumption of customers who have not reported a meter reading, electricity providers usually use bills from previous periods. If these values are not available, for example because a person has been a customer of the company for less than a year, average consumption values of similar households are used for the determination. In case of doubt, these are higher than the actual consumption.
When and how often do I have to read my electricity meter?
Consumers are usually asked by their metering point operator once a year to read the meter reading. Under certain circumstances, however, it can also be useful to read the electricity meter in between, for example to get to know your own consumption better and to optimize energy costs.
Did you know? As an enercity customer, you can add a new meter reading to your enercity at any time. Online customer portal capture. This allows you to keep an eye on your electricity consumption at all times.
Do I have to read my electricity meter if I change providers?
Yes, if you sign a new electricity contract, you should read the meter reading on the day of the change and report it to the old electricity provider. The same applies if you move. It is best to read the meter both when you move out and when you move in on the day of handing over the keys and report the current status to the electricity provider.
What does the digital electricity meter display?
Digital, non-intelligent electricity meters (modern metering systems) display the meter number and meter reading just like analogue models, while smart meters, so-called intelligent metering systems, can even record electricity consumption every quarter of an hour – and thus much more accurately.
Why do I have to read electricity twice?
If you have a dual tariff or a bidirectional meter, you must read two meters and report them to your metering point operator.
What does HT and NT mean on the meter?
So-called HT/NT meters can record electricity consumption separately for two periods of time. The HT meter shows how much electricity was consumed in the high tariff – at enercity, for example, Monday to Sunday between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. The NT meter shows the electricity consumption during the rest of the time, in the low tariff.
How can I read my PV self-consumption on the electricity meter?
If your PV system is equipped with a yield meter, you can determine your PV self-consumption based on the meter readings. For this purpose, the meter reading of the feed-in meter (2.8.0) must be subtracted from the meter reading of the yield meter. The remaining electricity yield that has not been fed into the public grid is self-consumption.