Curious about how to read a smart meter? Before you dive in, remember that one of the major benefits of smart meters is that you no longer have to take manual readings, as your meter data is recorded automatically. Your smart meter is in constant communication with your energy supplier, ensuring that your energy bills are accurate and based on the most up-to-date figures – no more meter readings and no more estimates! However, if you would like to keep taking smart meter readings to keep an eye on your energy use, here’s how to manually read a smart meter.
Reasons to take a manual smart meter reading
If your smart electricity meter is on an Economy 7 tariff (where you pay a standard price during the day and a lower rate for 7 hours overnight), press ‘6’ and then press it three more times until you can see ‘IMP R01’. This shows your off-peak (night-time) reading in kWh. Press ‘6’ again and you’ll see ‘IMP R02’. Aclara’s SGM1300 Smart Energy Meter for domestic and small-business properties, meets the European smart metering deployment goals for smart metering, reduced CO 2 emissions and accurate, real-time and on-time consumer billing. Aclara kV2c Electric Smart Meter The meter is now ready to be programmed using GE’s MeterMate software. Figure 9: Check 'RS' box. Installation on A-base Meters While the meter is unassembled, the A-base communications cable assembly must be installed. This cable assembly is installed in A-base meters as follows.
Smart Meter Texas
You’ve switched energy providers and your smart meter isn’t compatible with your new supplier’s systems.
Stay in control of your energy use by setting budgets and comparing your energy use across the day/week/month.
How to manually read a smart meter
If you prefer to take electricity and gas readings for yourself, here’s how you can check how much energy you’re using by reading your smart meter. You can read your smart meter by taking a look at your in-house smart meter display unit. This display will show you your daily, weekly or monthly energy use in terms of money, kilowatt hours and carbon emissions.
How to read a smart meter
Remember that when you got your new smart meter installed, the readings began from 0, so you will have a new set of readings – they won’t carry over from your old meter. Not all smart meters look exactly the same, but we’ve put together this guide that applies to most smart meters.
Your smart meter will generally display:
A budget market
Battery status
Time
Text area
Touch buttons
Light indicators
Costs and consumption
Fuel view
Energy display dial
Wireless signal strength
How to read a smart electric meter
Your electricity consumption is measured in kilo-watt hours (kWh), so this is the number you’ll need to look for. You won’t need to record the numbers after the decimal place.
Here’s how to read different types of smart electricity meters
How to read smart electricity meter with a keypad
Press ‘9’ on the keypad
A series of letter will appear
You’ll then see eight digits on the screen followed by the letters ‘kWh’.
These digits are your meter reading; in this case,
How to read an Economy 7 smart meter
This type of meter takes records day and night usage.
Press ‘6’ on the keypad until the letters ‘IMP R01’ followed by eight digits appear (usually your night/off-peak reading).
Keep pressing ‘6’ until you see ‘IMP R02’ followed by eight digits (usually your peak/normal reading).
Use the digits ahead of the decimal points as you readings.
How to take a smart meter reading if you have two buttons
Please the ‘Display Select’ or ‘Display’ button.
The meter display will then scroll through to the meter reading.
Look for the number followed by kWh – this is your meter reading.
How to take an electric smart meter reading if you have A and B buttons
Press the A button
Keep pressing until you reach ‘TOTAL ACT IMPORT’.
The number shown below this is your meter reading.
OR
Press and hold the A button for at least two seconds.
Keep pressing A to cycle through the displays.
The numbers you see followed by kWh is your meter reading
How to take a smart meter reading if your meter has 3 buttons
Press the button in the middle.
Your meter reading is the number shown below IMP.
If you have a two-rate meter, R1= Rate 1; R2 = Rate 2; T = total.
You can see all readings by pressing the middle button again.
If you have a button on the left and two buttons on the right:
Press the single button.
You’ll see a row of digits with kWh – this is your meter reading.
How to read a smart gas meter
Both gas and electricity smart meters have a numerical keypad. Here’s what to do if you want to take a traditional meter reading:
How to read a gas smart meter if you have a keypad
Press 9 on the keypad.
You’ll see VOLUME on the screen
You’ll then see a row of digits followed by M3 at the bottom right – this is your gas meter reading.
How to read a gas smart meter if you have A and B buttons
Press the A button.
Keep pressing until you get to METER INDEX.
The digits shown below this is your meter reading.
How to read a gas smart meter if you have a left arrow, a circle and a right arrow
Press the circle button in the middle.
Your screen will show ‘current meter reading’ at the top.
The row of digits followed by M3 is your meter reading.
How to read your smart gas meter if you have 3 square buttons
Your buttons may or may be labelled or unlabelled.
Press the button on the left.
You’ll see a row of digits followed by M3 – this is your smart meter reading.
How to read your smart gas meter if you have arrows to the right of the screen
Press the arrow at the top.
You’ll see a row of digits followed by M3 – this is your meter reading.
We hope that this guide is useful in helping you to take a manual meter reading from your smart meter. If you’re looking for energy management services, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
READ MORE: Are smart meters compulsory?
By Matt Mostyn Friday 31 July 2020
Right now is a great time to get a smart meter. Why’s that, you ask? Because not only can they help you to cut your bills, but they can also reduce your household’s carbon emissions. That’s a win-win all round, we reckon!
The government wants all energy suppliers to install smart meters into all British homes by 20241. It’s all part of the effort to create a smarter energy grid, which helps deliver more efficient, reliable, low-carbon energy to Britain's households. And we’re fully on board with that.
The shift to a smart grid
The nationwide installation of smart meters is an important part of the shift away from standard electricity grids towards a 'smart grid'. This uses digital technology to let network operators predict much more accurately how much electricity is needed, and when, so they can better match supply with demand. That shift could bring many potential benefits. Not only could it lead to big improvements in how electricity is generated, distributed and consumed, but it’s also great news for the environment. That’s because a smart grid takes us another step closer to a low-carbon energy system, powered by renewable energy and green technologies.
The more of us that have a smart meter, the greater the benefits, says Ofgem2. The government agrees, saying that the smart network benefits depend on a critical mass of next generation ‘SMETS2’ meters being installed.
‘SMETS’ smart meters explained
Aclara Kv2c Manual
Which brings us seamlessly on to that catchy name! ‘SMETS’ is the acronym for ‘Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications’ – which is pretty self-explanatory.
Right now we’re now installing a new generation of smart meters called SMETS2. They replace SMETS1 meters – the UK’s first industry-standard type of smart meter, which energy suppliers have been installing since 2013. Problem was, if you changed supplier, many of these types of meters stopped sending automatic readings.
Since then, we’ve seen the launch of the next generation of smart meters, named SMETS2. These have all the same energy-saving features of the last generation – which means you won’t have to endure any more annoying meter readings.
But the best bit is that SMETS2 smart meters are cross-compatible with other SMETS2-ready energy suppliers. So if you switch supplier, you won’t need a meter exchange, and you won’t lose your smart meter features.
SMETS2 smart meters – why get one?
For starters, because we’ll install them at no cost to you. Then there’s the fact that you’ll be able to more easily spot patterns in your gas and electricity use, so you can find out where to make savings. It also means no more meter readings or estimated bills. And finally, it helps you to waste less energy and cut your carbon emissions. Sold yet?!
SMETS2 smart meter benefits
While SMETS2 meters offer many of the same benefits as SMETS1 meters, they contain the most up-to-date technology to help make life easier – especially if you ever want to switch supplier. SMETS2 smart meter benefits include:
Free installation
Meter readings sent automatically, for accurate rather than estimated bills
The highest standard of security for your data
See how much energy you’re using, either online or via your In-Home Display (IHD)
See how much energy different appliances use, which could help you to cut down what you’re spending
Complete cross-supplier compatibility
Read more about how to get a smart meter
SMETS2 smart meters – other potential benefits
Studies are also being done into how, in the future, smart meters could prove themselves very handy in certain scenarios. With the express consent of individuals who decide to opt in, smart meters could monitor daily routines such as cooking dinner or boiling the kettle.
That could be useful if an elderly relative is showing signs of dementia, as changes in electricity use can indicate unusual patterns in eating and sleeping. Or if a relative is dangerously under-heating their home in winter, that could also alert you, to help keep them safe3.
SMETS1 or SMETS2 – how to tell which smart meter you have
The rollout of SMETS2 meters began in 2018. If your meter was installed before then, it’s likely to be a SMETS1-type meter.
Because suppliers continued using their stocks of first-generation meters after 2018, it's possible you have a SMETS1 meter, even if it was installed more recently. Nothing wrong with that, if so. SMETS1 meters have all the same energy-saving features as SMETS2. The main issue is simply one of ensuring they continue to be ‘smart’ if you ever decide to change supplier.
The easiest way to tell is to look at your electricity meter. If the serial number starts with 19P, this indicates it's a SMETS1 meter. If it starts with 19M, then this means it’s SMETS2. How to add vst in fl studio 12.
Another way to tell is to look for a Telefonica/Arqiva/WNC/Toshiba device with two to five LED lights on top of your electricity meter. If you can see one, then you have a SMETS2 meter!
However, to be 100% sure, the best way to find out which type you have is to contact the supplier that installed it. If we’ve installed your smart meter, please contact us via your online account and we'll help you find out which type you have.
And if you have any questions around smart meters, read our comprehensive FAQ Smart meters page.
How to upgrade to a SMETS2 smart meter
If you have a SMETS1 meter, a remote software upgrade will enable it to work across the same network used by SMETS2 meters. The good news is that ‘remote upgrade’ means it will just happen automatically.
Essentially, all existing SMETS1 meters will receive a software upgrade (if they haven’t already) and be migrated onto the national smart meter network. All SMETS1 meters will eventually be remotely upgraded by the Data Communications Company (DCC) – which is also responsible for protecting your data. Rest assured that there's nothing you need to do to make this happen.
It’s also good to know that this update doesn’t change the way we use your smart meter data. We’ll still be the only people that can see how much energy you’re using, and when you’re using it. And we can only see your data with your approval. Read more about our data security in our smart meter safety guide.
How to get a SMETS2 smart meter
The easiest way to get your SMETS2 smart meter is to book via your online account. Usually, you'll be able to choose an installation slot within the next 8 weeks. Simply log in and select an available appointment time and date.
With an OVO smart meter, you’re guaranteed a great installation experience. That’s because the 2020 Uswitch Energy Awards rated us best energy supplier in 5 categories, including Best Smart Meter Experience. And we also scored 5 stars out of 5 in Uswitch's latest survey of 17,000 households in the UK. Book your smart meter appointment now Remind yourself of the benefits of smart meters and find out why you should get one. And if you want a smart meter, but you are not yet with OVO, find out more about how to compare energy suppliers and switch today.