Meters and
meter readings.

Want help reading your meter or are you struggling with your smart meter? Here's how you do it.

Flash with magnifying glass.

Here are the most asked metering questions.

How do I read my meter?

Dial meters

These meters look a little like clocks.

What not to write down

On electricity meters, ignore any numbers from red dials, dials with no pointer, dials with no numbers or dials marked 1/10. On gas meters, ignore any numbers from the large dial, the dial marked 100 or any red dials.

How to read a dial meter
  1. Read the dials from left to right. As you read from left to right, the dials will turn in opposite directions. If the first one turns clockwise, the next will turn anti-clockwise and so on. You’ll need to check which way each dial turns before you read it

  2. If a pointer is between two numbers, write down the lower number. For example, if the pointer is between 9 and 0, write down 9, not 0

  3. If a pointer is directly on a number, you’ll need to look at the next dial before you write anything down

  • If the next dial is between 0 and 1, write down the number that the previous pointer was on

  • If the next dial is between 9 and 0, write down the number before the one the previous pointer was on

Digital meters

These meters have a digital display screen. Write down the numbers shown on the display. If there’s a decimal point, ignore anything after it. Make sure you write down the numbers shown on the display for each rate, such as day or night, low or normal, Rate 1 or Rate 2, A1 or A2, R1 or R2.

Depending on your type of meter:

  • The rates might display together

  • The display might change between the rates automatically

  • You might have to press a button to switch between the rates

Smart meters

If you have an electricity single rate smart meter, the display will automatically show the reading.

If you have an electricity dual rate smart meter, press and release the blue display button and this will show Rate 2.

For gas smart meters, press and hold the red button A for 5-10 seconds. This will then display ‘Credit ON’. Press and release button A, and the meter will display the reading.

Mechanical meters

These meters have rotating counters.

Write down the numbers shown on the display. Ignore any red numbers or any numbers with red borders.

If there’s a decimal point, ignore anything after it.

Make sure you write down the numbers shown on the display for each rate, such as Day or Night, Low or Normal, Rate 1 or Rate 2, A1 or A2, R1 or R2.

Need a bit more help with your meter?

Check out the various metering guides we have to help you with your query, including how to read your smart meter and getting the most from your smart in-home display.

Recently been moved over from E.ON?

Check out the differences between managing your Smart Pay As You Go account at E.ON Next vs E.ON.

Are smart meters good for the environment?

Have a read through our blog post to discover how you can switch to a smart meter and do your bit for the environment.

Saving power, pennies and the planet

Check out our energy efficiency page for our latest energy saving tricks and tips.

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Still need to get in touch with us?

We've got a number of ways you can get in touch with us through our community forum, WhatsApp or by email and phone.

Why not head over to our community forum?

Chat with other customers just like you to get some hot tips and the latest news.

Go to our community forum

Contact us by social media.

You can contact us by email or WhatsApp to get a response within hours, we're here to help you 8am - 10pm, 7 days a week. We’ve got all hands on deck and fingers on keyboards to answer questions or concerns as quickly as possible. We promise to reply as soon as we can. 

Contact us by email.

Drop us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Home related emailshi@eonnext.com
Business related emailshellobusiness@eonnext.com

Contact us by phone.

If you prefer giving us a ring, know that our lines are open 9am - 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am - 4pm Friday.

Speech or hearing impaired customers can put 18001 in front of our phone number to use text relay at no extra cost. You can find out more on the Relay UK website.

Home related calls0808 501 5200
Business related calls0808 501 5699

We're always still here for you after 5pm or over the weekend if you have an emergency with your prepayment or credit meter. You can either call 0808 501 5088, or you can email us or get in touch on our Social Media channels.