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September 13, 2022

A Guide to Your Digital Smart Electricity Meter

The Importance of Smart Meters

Smart meters are revolutionising the way we understand and manage our energy consumption. They offer real-time data, enabling us to make informed decisions about our energy use. While these meters often send readings automatically to suppliers, there are instances where manual readings are necessary. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for reading various types of smart electricity meters.

Types of Smart Electricity Meters

Smart electricity meters come in various designs, each with its own method for manual reading. The most common types include:

Reading a Keypad Meter

If your meter has a keypad and displays a number like 0012565.3, your meter reading is 12565. The method for reading depends on your rate plan:

Single Rate

For single-rate users, simply note down the numbers before the decimal point.

Dual Rate (Economy 7)

If you're on an Economy 7 rate, you'll have two readings to take: one for the day and one for the night.

Reading a Meter with A and B Buttons

If your meter has A and B buttons under the screen, follow these steps:

  1. Press the A button.
  2. Press the A button again until you see 'TOTAL ACT IMPORT' and numbers followed by 'KWH'.
  3. Write down the numbers, ignoring leading zeroes and numbers after the decimal point.

Reading a Meter with Multiple Buttons

If your meter has multiple buttons to the right of the screen, the reading process is similar to that of a meter with A and B buttons. However, you may need to cycle through more options to find the 'TOTAL ACT IMPORT' display.

Reading a Meter with No Buttons

Some meters automatically cycle through different screens. For these, simply wait for the screen that shows numbers followed by 'KWH’ and note down the numbers.

Understanding how to read your smart electricity meter is more than just a practical skill; it's an empowerment tool for better energy management. While smart meters are designed to automate many aspects of energy tracking, there are situations where manual readings are indispensable. Whether you have a keypad meter, a meter with multiple buttons, or even one with no buttons at all, this guide has equipped you with the knowledge to accurately read your meter.

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