How to Read a Gas Meter: A Detailed Guide

Gas meters are meant to measure the volume of gas consumed by the property during a particular period, normally a month or 30 days. The gas supply company must take the readings from the gas meter installed in a home or commercial property. Based on that reading, the suppliers calculate the energy bill for that property, which is payable by the property owner. Hence, the gas meter is a device based on which the gas bill, also known as the energy bill, is calculated. 

Gas meters are different types, such as Digital, Imperial, and Dial. With technological advancement, Smart gas meters have also gained popularity worldwide, including in the UK. Typically, the gas supply companies require the consumers to convey the current reading reflected on the gas meter. Based on this, the energy bill is automatically generated and sent to the consumers. Sometimes, the company may send a representative to take the meter reading but that is rare.

If a consumer fails to transmit the meter reading in a timely manner or sends a wrong reading to the gas supply company, the bill might not be correct, as per the actual gas consumption. The outcome of any such happening would be a very high or very low energy bill. Therefore, as a consumer, you need to know everything about the gas meter readings and, more importantly, how to take the readings on different types of meters.

Types of Gas Meters

Gas meters can be classified into different categories based on their make and way of working:

• Mechanical Type Gas Meters – These are the simplest type of gas meters, which display the volume of gas consumed in units, either in Cubic Feet or Cubic Meters. The bill is calculated by applying the rate per Cubic Feet or Cubic Meter plus any other applicable charges.
• Digital Type Gas Meters – Digital gas meters are even more straightforward than mechanical ones. Using digital technology, the volume of gas consumption is displayed on a digital screen, in numbers. Digital gas meters are of two types: Digital Metric Meters and Digital Imperial Meters.
• Dial-Type Gas Meters – A dial-type gas meter is quite a complex type of meter. Instead of a mechanical or digital display, a dial type gas meter shows the gas consumption in 4-6 different dials, just like the dial of a clock. The needles on the dials point to the gas consumed. As the consumption gets higher, the needles will go up.
• Smart Type Gas Meters – These are the Smart meters. They use the latest computer-based technologies to measure gas consumption. More importantly, the consumption is automatically transmitted to the gas supply company without the involvement of taking the reading manually, either by the consumer or by the company representative.
• Prepaid Type Gas Meters – It is a more advanced form of smart meter. These are commonly referred to as "Key Meters,” "Card Meters,” and "PAYG Meters (Pay as you go).” The consumers can top up the amount using a key or card to get the gas. The meter will allow the consumer to use the gas for the amount prepaid. When the paid amount exhausts, the consumers will be required to recharge the meter. This can be done by online apps on mobile phones. This type of gas meter is good for consumers, who want to control their gas consumption, as the consumption of gas remains in their own control.

Locate your Gas Meter

When you move into a new home, locating the gas meter for the first time might be challenging. It will be even more difficult if you are living in a flat. For a single home, finding the gas meter might not be a difficult task.

Generally, a gas meter can be found near the main entrance of your home, commonly on the outer wall, and can be readily identified. Other possible sites of a gas meter might be as under:

• A gas meter and other energy meters can be found in a Utility Cupboard.
• Sometimes, it may be installed inside the kitchen.
• Another possible location of a gas meter is often alongside the gas boiler.
• You may even find a gas meter in your basement in some cases.
• One of the most common sites for a gas meter is the garage. 

Gas Meters in Flats

If you live in a flat, the gas meter can be found in a common gas meter cabinet, often on the ground floor, in a common area, such as a corridor, or near the main entrance of the building. The property manager must have labeled all the energy meters, including the gas meter, according to the identification number of your flat. You can identify your gas meter by locating your flat number on the gas meter. You can also take the help of the property manager to find your gas meter.

How to Read a Gas Meter?

Once you have located your gas meter and are familiar with different types of gas meters, it's now time to understand how to read your gas meter. This is a sensitive matter, as your energy bill depends entirely on the meter reading you took and transmitted to the gas suppliers. The meter reading is different for each type of gas meter. 

• Digital Metric Gas Meter

A Digital Metric Gas Meter shows the volume of consumed gas on a digital or electronic display. The screen in this type of meter shows 5 numbers on digital display, then a decimal point followed by 3 decimal numbers, which are often marked red. The display would be something like this:

00201.682 

You need to note down the first five digits and ignore the numbers after the decimal point, which are often highlighted in red. So, the meter reading in the above case would be 00201

• Digital Imperial Gas Meter

Digital Imperial Gas Meter shows the volume of consumed gas in 4 digital numbers, either in white or black color, followed by two more digits in red. The display, in this case, would be as under:

0123 67

You will have to note down the first four digits only, ignoring the last two digits. So, the meter reading in the above example would be 0123. 

• Dial Gas Meter

This type of gas meter would often have four or more dials. The needle on each dial points to a number from 0 to 9, showing the volume of gas consumed. The needle on each dial moves in a different direction than the preceding dial. The first dial would commonly move clockwise, the next anticlockwise, etc. For reading on a dial-type gas meter, start from left to right, taking readings from the first four dials. 

If the needle points precisely to a number, you need to note down that number. However, take the lower number if the needle is between two numbers. For example, if the needle points directly to 5, note down 5, but if it is between 4 and 5, you need to note down 4. If the first four dials, from left to right, show 0, 4, 2, and 1, the meter reading would be 0421.

• Smart Gas Meters

Ideally, there is no need to take the reading on a smart gas meter if it is turned on to "Smart Mode." In this case, the smart meter can transmit the reading on a said date directly to the gas suppliers. 

There might be some situations where you must take the reading on your smart gas meters:

• If you have changed the gas supply company, you must manually transmit the first reading to them.
• In some cases, the gas supplier might be unable to connect to your smart gas meter. Here, you will be required to send the reading to them manually. 
• If there is a glaring difference in the energy bill as compared to the previous month's bill. 

Taking Readings on A Smart Gas Meter

• A smart gas meter often has two buttons below the display screen, marked A and B. 
• Press the A button twice until it displays “Meter Index.”
• Below “meter index,” numbers will appear, from left to right, ending with the word m3
• Ignoring the Zeros from left to right, note down the digits appearing before the decimal point. 
• For example, if the meter displays as "0000423.5 M3", the meter reading would be 423. 

Conclusion

A gas meter is an important device installed on your property that measures gas consumed during a particular period. On the basis of this measurement, the energy bill is calculated and sent to you for payment. Normally, the gas supply company needs the current meter reading to be conveyed to them by the consumers. That's why it is important for you to understand how to take the reading on your gas meter. The procedure is simple but varies with different types of gas meters. 

So, first of all, you need to locate the gas meter in your property and then ascertain its type. Once done, you need to follow the procedure to take the reading, as explained above. However, if in doubt, you may call the gas suppliers to send one of their representatives to assist you in taking the meter reading for the first time. Subsequently, you should be able to do it yourself.