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Electricity and gas meters are used to calculate how much energy is being used at your property. 1st Energy may be able to accept a self-read if you have received an estimated bill and certain conditions are met. This guide will help you identify and read your electricity or gas meter.
If your meter is outside, look on one of the walls or the front or rear porch of your home. Typical indoor locations include the hallway, laundry or garage.
Gas meters are usually near the front of your house, close to the street. Look near your letterbox or driveway. In NSW, your meter could be under your kitchen sink.
In an apartment, duplex or other multi-dwelling building, meters are usually together in the basement, carpark or a cabinet on your floor.
Your meter should be labelled with your unit number. Make sure you are reading the correct meter. If unsure, check the meter number against your 1st Energy invoice.
There are various types of electricity meters, each with a unique meter number. Your electricity connection also has a National Metering Identifier (NMI), which identifies the connection point. You can find your NMI on the front page of your bill.
Check whether the meter number is the same as the one on your latest 1st Energy invoice. A clock dial electricity meter has several small clock faces. To conduct a reading, note the numbers from each clock, from left to right.
If a pointer is between two numbers, note the lower number. When the pointer is between 0 and 9, read 9.
Example: the meter number shown is 52459155 and the reading is 83736.
Confirm that the serial number on the meter is the same as the number on your latest 1st Energy invoice. Note down each number from left to right, including all leading zeroes.
If the dial has two readings labelled L and H, record both. These record your usage for different periods, including peak and off-peak.
Example: the meter number shown is 03137923 and the reading is 00003.
There are different types of digital meters. Most have a numerical reading on their screen. Check whether the serial number is the same as the one on your latest 1st Energy invoice. Then record the usage for peak and off-peak, including all leading zeroes.
If your meter has a ‘Display’ button and it is safe to access, press it to reveal the different readings and note them all down. Do not press the ‘Boost’ button.
Example: the meter number shown is 12345678 and the reading is 123456.
If you would like more detailed usage data, you can request a copy of your interval metering data report by contacting us. To help you understand it, refer to our MDPP Guide (PDF).
The gas pressure available in your area and the type of regulator on your meter help identify your gas meter type. Gas meters have a unique meter number. Your gas connection also has a Meter Installation Registration Number (MIRN) or Delivery Point Identifier (DPI), shown on the front page of your bill.
Check whether the meter number is the same as the one on your latest 1st Energy invoice. These meters measure usage in cubic feet, which appears on the meter’s clock face and is converted to cubic metres.
Read each clock from left to right. If a pointer sits between two numbers, note the lower number, except when it sits between 0 and 9: note 9.
Ignore additional dials labelled ½ or 2; these are not used for the meter reading.
Example reading: 1695.
Metric gas meters measure usage in cubic metres. They usually have ‘Cubic metres’ or ‘m³’ labelled on them.
Record the black-and-white digits from left to right. Ignore the red digits when recording your whole-unit reading.
Example reading: 16622.
1st Energy generally accepts self-reads if:
