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To read your electricity meter, simply read the numbers displayed on the panel or screen from left to right, which show your energy consumption in kWh. Electricity and gas meters record how much energy you use and are used by your energy supplier to calculate your bill. There are various types of meters in use in Ireland including standard, digital, smart, and PAYG (prepayment).
How you read electric meters depends on the type of meter you have.
There are several types of meters in use for both electricity and gas. In general, they can be classed into the types below:
Electricity and gas meters are largely the same and while most meters are read in the same way, there are some differences in how the information is displayed to you:
Mechanical revolving disc meters have a display with five black digits and one red digit.
To submit a meter reading, you just use the first five (black) digits. Be sure to ignore any red digits or figures enclosed in a red box.
A Tip for Reading Mechanical Dials Accurately
Always remember the golden rule: If the pointer is between two numbers (e.g., between 4 and 5), always record the lower number (4). The only exception is when the pointer has already passed 9 and is moving towards 0, in which case you record the 9.
Nightsaver meters tend to be mechanical revolving disc meters.
Both readings will be displayed on the same meter, and you’ll need to note both figures in order to submit a reading.
Night charges apply between:
To take the reading, read the numbers from left to right. Be sure to include all the digits.
If your digital meter is a Time of Day meter, it will have a blue display button. Press this button to scroll from the day to the night reading.
The day reading will show a 2 on the left, and the night reading will show a 1 on the left. As with the 24-hour meter, take the reading from left to right and include all digits.
Smart meters automatically send readings to your supplier and eliminate the need for taking meter readings, as you should only be charged for the electricity you use.
On the display, you can view your current time-of-use, electricity consumption and more.
Although smart meters automatically send readings, you can manually check your consumption on the meter display. This is useful for verifying your consumption or checking your tariff usage.
Unlike a digital meter, a PAYG meter (also known as a prepayment meter) will not show you your current reading on the screen, instead it will display your credit.
To get a meter reading, simply press number nine on the keypad.
Be aware that many PAYG meters have two components, the meter, and the keypad (which is normally positioned to the side of the meter).
Gas meters in Ireland generally fall into two categories: older mechanical dial meters and modern digital meters. While the older dial meters are becoming rare, it is important to know how to read both types.
Modern gas meters typically have a digital display.
To take a reading from a digital gas meter, simply read the numbers from left to right, ignoring any numbers that appear after a decimal point, are enclosed in a red box, or have a coloured background. The reading will show your consumption in cubic metres (m3).
Dial meters have a series of small clock-like dials. To read them:
Meter readings are carried out up to four times per year. If you move in or out of a property, you should submit an electricity or gas meter reading at the time of moving.
How Is Gas Consumption Converted to kWh?
Gas meters record usage in cubic metres (). Your supplier converts this reading into kilowatt hours () to calculate your bill. This conversion allows your gas bill to be compared directly with your electricity bill.
All of Your Electricity Meter Questions Answered!
Modern gas and electricity meters are normally located outside dwellings in a meter box or cabinet, usually attached to a wall.
If gates or fences are put in to separate the front and back garden, they must be behind the meter box, so that technicians can access it.
Occasionally, a meter box could be located inside a house - for example, if there is no garden.
If you’ve just moved into a new house and aren’t too sure of where the meter is, some common indoor places a meter is normally located include:
In apartment complexes, ESB electricity and/or gas meters are normally located in meter banks on the ground floor, in the basement or outside.
Often, tenants and owners will not have access to where the meters are kept, and will need to speak to the building manager or apartment complex management company, in order to gain access.
If this is the case for you, and you’re unable to organise a time to coincide with gaining access, you could ask the person with the key to take a photo of your meter reading instead. Send it to you.
You can tell which meter is yours by matching it up with your MPRN or GPRN on your electricity or gas bill.
Regular meter readings allow you to monitor your energy consumption. They also ensure that you receive accurate bills from your gas or electricity supplier and are not overpaying on your home energy.
Meter readings are carried out up to four times per year. If you move in or out of a property, you should submit an electricity or gas meter reading at the time of moving.
Eliminate Meter Readings with a Smart Meter
With the continued rollout of smart meter across Ireland, more and more households are seeing the benefits of accurate, real-time meter readings, eliminating overestimated bills. If you are still waiting for your smart meter installation, you can contact ESB Networks directly to organise an installation on 1800 928 123.
ESB Networks deals with electricity meter readings, regardless of which supplier you have. The company is responsible for all electricity meters in Ireland, no matter the type of meter you have.
A meter reader will visit your property up to four times per year to take your electricity meter reading. If you are not present when the meter reader visits, they will leave a card with information about how to submit your meter reading online or by phone.
To submit your electricity meter reading, you will need to provide your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN).
Gas Networks Ireland handles your gas meter readings. As with electricity meter readings, a meter reader will come up to four times per year from Gas Networks Ireland. If they are unable to access the meter, you will be given a 'no access' card.
This will have your Gas Point Reference Number (GPRN) on it, which you will need to submit the gas meter reading either online or by phone. You can also find your GPRN on your gas bill.
If for some reason engineers were unable to access your meter, you will receive an estimated energy bill.
Estimated bills are generally terrible for managing your household budget, and particularly in the colder months, can lead to some nasty surprises on your next bill.
We always recommend that in the event of missing a meter reading, you submit your own reading.
You can contact ESB Networks and Gas Networks Ireland via the following to submit a meter reading:
| Meter Type | Phone | Online Submission | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (ESB) | 1850 33 77 77 | [email protected] | Online Reading Submission |
| Gas (Gas Network Ireland) | 1850 427 732 | N/A | Online Reading Submission |
Taking your own meter reading allows you to accurately estimate your energy costs, preventing bill shock from supplier estimates.
To calculate your usage and estimate your cost, you need three pieces of information:
Usage (kWh)=New Reading−Old Reading
Estimated Cost=Usage (kWh)×Unit Rate (€/kWh)
Example: If your new reading is 12500, your old reading was 12000, and your unit rate is €0.30/kWh:
500 kWh=12500−12000
Estimated Cost=500 kWh×€0.30/kWh=€150.00
Note: This calculation only estimates the unit cost; it does not include standing charges, PSO levies, or VAT, which are also added to your final bill.
Your meter reading must be linked to the correct supply point. This is done using your unique identification numbers: the MPRN for electricity and the GPRN for gas.
They are not the same as the meter serial number. The MPRN and GPRN identify the physical location of the supply point, regardless of which meter is installed there.
You can easily find your MPRN and GPRN on any of your past electricity or gas bills. You may also find it stamped or labelled on the meter box door.
If you are not sure if you have a smart meter or not, look for the following:
It is an illegal and punishable offence to tamper with a gas or electricity meter.
Both ESB Networks and Gas Networks Ireland have teams dedicated to detecting meter tampering, and both companies have policies of starting criminal proceedings against individuals caught tampering with meters.
If you suspect your meter has been tampered with, you report it to ESB on 1850 211 827 or to Gas Networks Ireland on 1850 200 694.
If you suspect your meter is not working correctly, you can contact your energy supplier, who will organise a 'load test' to test the meter.
Beware, if it is found that there is no issue with the meter, you could be charged for the test, so it is better to check first to see if any faulty appliances are affecting your meter readings.
Yes, it is possible to move your meter. Perhaps you are renovating your house, building an extension or simply want to move your meter from inside to outside.
To do so you need to contact ESB Networks on 1800 337 777 or Gas Networks Ireland on 1800 464 464 to arrange for the move which you will be charged based on an initial quote given.
The services and products mentioned on this website may only represent a small selection of the options available to you. Selectra encourages you to carry out your own research and seek advice if necessary before making any decisions. We may receive commission from selected partner providers on sales of some products and/or services mentioned within this website. Our website is free to use, and the commission we receive does not affect our opinion or the information we provide.
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