At Octopus Energy, we can automatically read second generation (SMETS2) and Secure™ first generation (SMETS1) smart meters. But there are lots of different types of smart meters installed around the UK.
Here's our ultimate guide to taking manual readings from a smart meter, whatever type you might have...
If you have a first generation Secure™ smart meter that was installed by Octopus, find out how to take readings from it here.
Your electricity reading will be a number followed by “KWH”. We don't need the numbers after the decimal place.
If your meter has more than one unit rate (for example, if you're on an Economy 7 tariff), you'll have to take a reading for each rate. The two readings will appear one after the other — generally followed by “R1” and “R2” (Rate 1 and Rate 2). There is no set rule as to which one is your peak rate reading and which is your offpeak. Your meter might have a sticky label indicating which is which, though.
After R1 and R2, a third reading might appear onscreen — “T”. This is the total of your peak and offpeak readings combined. You don't need to give us this one.
If your meter has A and B buttons:
Press the A button.
Keep on pressing this until you get to “TOTAL ACT IMPORT”.
The number shown below this is your meter reading.
If your meter has a green A and a white B button:
Press and hold the green A button for at least 2 seconds.
Press A again and again to cycle through the displays.
The first row of numbers you'll see is your meter reading.
If your meter has three unmarked buttons:
Press the middle button.
The number shown below “IMP” is your meter reading.
If your meter has an orange button and a blue button:
Press the orange button.
You'll see a row of numbers followed by “KWH”, this is your reading.
*If your meter has two buttons marked Reconnect and Display Select:
Press the “Display” or “Display Select” button.
Keep pressing until it scrolls through a number followed by kWh, this is your reading.
Your gas reading will be a number followed by “m3”. We don't need the numbers after the decimal place.
If your meter has A and B buttons only:
Press the A button.
Keep on pressing this until you get to “METER INDEX”.
The number shown below this is your meter reading.
If your meter has three square red buttons (they might be labelled A, B, and C):
Press the A (or left) button.
You'll see a row of numbers followed by m3, this is your reading.
If your meter has a left arrow, a circle and a right arrow:
Press the middle “circle” button.
The screen will show “current meter reading” at the top.
You'll see a row of numbers followed by m3, this is your reading.
If your meter has orange and blue arrow buttons:
Press the orange button.
You'll see a row of numbers followed by m3. This is your reading.