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How to read your meter

Your guide to reading your meter

From time to time, energy distributors and meter providers aren’t able to access and get readings from meters.

If an energy distributor/meter provider isn’t able to access your meter and you don’t have a smart meter that automatically sends them your energy use, this may result in your bill being based on estimated usage.  

If you’ve received an estimated bill, to ensure you’re billed correctly we recommend performing a self-meter read. This page outlines how you can do that. 

To determine if your bill is based on an estimate read, refer to our guide on understanding your bill. 

How meters work

Electricity meters measure the amount of electricity consumed at your property during a billing period. The meter data is sent to us by the distributor/meter provider so that we can calculate your electricity bill. 

To avoid getting an estimated bill and having to do a self-meter read, make sure:

  1. any gates on your property are unlocked and easily opened 
  2. the meter box does not have any personal locks 
  3. the area surrounding your meter is clear and nothing is hindering access, and 
  4. if you have pets, keep them in a secure and safe place during the days around your scheduled reading. 

It is mandatory to provide access to your meter at least once every 12 months. 

You can find the date of your next meter reading on your bill.  

Contact us if special instructions are needed to access your meter or if you would like to arrange a special read.  

Finding your meter

Locating your meter can sometimes be challenging, as every house is unique. Here are some common places you might find it: 

 

For free-standing houses
  • Look for a meter attached to an external wall at the front or back of your house, or even in the backyard 
  • Your meter might be in the garage, laundry, hallway, or tucked away in a cupboard 
For apartment complexes or flats
  • Check your carpark or basement areas 
  • If not, there might be a special meter room allocated for all the meters in your building (consult your building manager for assistance) 

Ensure safe access to your meter

When accessing your meter to check the meter number or take a reading, be aware of potential hazards. Although meters and their housing boxes are designed to be safe, they can deteriorate over time. Check for exposed wires, signs of burning or melting, and damage from water, animals, or insects.  

If you encounter anything hazardous, do not touch or attempt to fix it yourself and contact us for assistance. 

What kind of meter do I have? And how do I read it?

Before submitting a meter read, it is essential to identify your meter type. There are typically three types of meters: 

 

Clock dial meter 

A clock dial meter looks like this:  

Look for five dials, each displaying numbers 0 to 9. Ignore any sixth dial, often in red or with 1/10 next to it. 

How to read a clock dial meter

  • position yourself directly in front of the meter and start from the left side, moving to the right. Ignore any red dials and note the lowest number closest to each dial. Record 9 when the dial is between 9 and 0. 
  • Repeat this process for each dial, ensuring a left-to-right sequence. 

The meter read on the example is 60279. 

Cyclometer Dial

A cyclometer dial looks like this:   

How to read a cyclometer dial

  • To read the dials correctly, start from the left side and move to the right. Ignore any re dials and note of the lowest number closest to each dial.  

The meter read on the example is 25030.

Smart Meter 

A smart meter looks like this:  

How to read a smart meter

  • ress the ‘display’ button to view the reading options on the screen. 
  • If providing a reading, record your usage for peak, off-peak (if applicable), and solar (if applicable), including any leading zeros. 

The meter read on the example is 0003275.
 

Important: If you have multiple registers, the screen will automatically scroll through each reading. Refer to your latest bill to determine the number of registers you have (refer to our bill guide). 

Submitting your meter read

After identifying your meter type and learning how to read it, it’s time to submit your meter read. If you have received multiple estimated bills, you can request an adjustment by submitting a self-reading or arranging for someone to read your meter. You can do this through: 

  • Phone – You can call us on 1800 359 797 and we can assist you through the process of submitting your own read.  
  • Email – Send us a clear photo of your electricity meter which should include the meter reading, meter serial number and timestamp (such as, newspaper or any shopping receipt for that date) in a single image to contact@flowpower.com.au  

Important photo tip 

Ensure the photo captures the entire face of the meter from the front, is not blurry or obscured by dust/dirt, and does not have any writing or glare. 

Then what happens?

After you have provided your reading, we will contact you to inform you of the outcome. 

If your reading is accepted, a revised bill with a new due date will be issued.  

If your reading is rejected, we will email you to explain why. The original bill amount will remain in place and be payable to your account. If you require additional time, please contact us for a payment extension. 

What happens if my self-read is rejected?

Photos of the meter may be rejected if:

  • your photo is illegible, and the consumption amounts cannot be read  
  • it was submitted after your bill due date 
  • it’s been more than 12 months since your last actual meter read, or 
  • the reading is less than the last actual read received. 

Reasons for illegible photos may include being out of focus, taken too far from the meter, too dark to see the meter clearly, or missing the reading in the image. 

Questions? We’re here to help.

For any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team.  

1800 359 797
contact@flowpower.com.au

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