Types of gas and electric meter
Take regular meter readings to ensure accurate utility bills
Some energy tariffs require to provide meter readings every month or quarter to your energy supplier - but whatever tariff you're on, it's sensible to regularly read your gas and electric meters, to ensure you receive accurate bills based on your actual usage.
You will also need to read your meters if you move house, or switch gas or electricity supplier. For step-by-step help on how to do this, see our how to read your gas meter and how to read your electricity meter guides.
Below we've outlined the main types of gas and electric meter you'll find.
Standard gas and electricity meters
There are lots of different types and designs of gas and electric meter, depending on the age and location of your property - but all should clearly display a number indicating your latest energy use.
Your energy supplier must read your meter every two years, but we recommend you read and submit your own meter every three months. Take a note of the reading and the date when it was taken. Your gas and electricity meter numbers will be displayed on your energy bill.
Contact your energy supplier if you want the accuracy of your meter tested. It may charge a fee for this.
Prepayment energy meters
Prepayment meter customers pay for energy in advance
To use a prepayment meter, you'll need to go to an outlet to charge (add credit) to your card or key, or to buy tokens. Your charging device is then inserted into the front of your prepayment meter.
The display window on the front of the meter can show a range of information including:
- Units of energy consumed
- Any fixed charge the energy supplier charges
- The rate per unit of fuel
- The amount of credit inserted
- Current credit
- Any outstanding debt
- Any debt repayments
- Emergency credit
When the energy meter runs out of credit, the gas or electricity supply is automatically stopped.
You'll be sent energy statements either quarterly or annually. These will show how much energy you've used and at what price, any debt that has been paid back, any outstanding debts and meter readings.
Smart energy meters
Smart meters allow suppliers to track electricity and gas use remotely
Smart meters enable energy suppliers to record how much electricity and gas you're using remotely - doing away with the need for estimated bills and meter readings.
The government is rolling out smart meters nationally between 2014 and 2019 - see our guide to the smart meter roll out for more information. Your energy company will contact you to arrange installation of a smart meter. Additionally some energy companies - such as First Utility - have already started to install smart meters in certain households ahead of the official start date, and offer smart energy tariffs.
You can find out more about smart meters, and why Which? is asking energy companies to sign up to our 'No selling, just installing' smart meter promise.
Cut your energy bills with Which? Switch
The average saving when switching gas and electricity is £217 - compare gas and electricity tariffs now to find the best deal for you.
This figure is based on the 53,459 households who switched suppliers using Which? Switch and The Big Switch between 1st September 2011 and 31st August 2012.
More on energy...
- Find out how to read your gas meter and electricity meter
- Five ways to avoid being over-charged for energy
- Read our guide to energy tariffs
