A guide to reading a smart meter

For a guide to reading your smart meter, see below. 

How to read your smart meter

Below is a guide to help you understand how to read your smart electricity meter.
Most smart meters follow the steps below, but there may be some exceptions depending on your meter type. The screen sequence and button labels may vary slightly depending on your meter model.

Reading your smart meter display

  1. Main display screen
    You’ll see your cumulative meter reading in kilowatt hours (kWh) on the main digital display screen.
    You don’t need to press any buttons to view this, it appears automatically.
    Read the on-screen digits displayed before “kWh” from left to right, including all digits.

  2. Reading different time bands
    If your meter tracks Day, Night, or Peak usage, you can view each one by pressing the push button on the left side of the meter.
    This button is usually blue or yellow.
    Each press of the button cycles through a new reading.

  3. Display screen information
    Look at the front of your smart meter display and read the numbers from left to right, including all digits shown.
    sample image of smart meter

Understanding your smart meter screens

Press 1: Date and time
Shows the current date and time on your smart meter.

sample image of smart meter

Press 2: Cumulative meter reading
Displays your total electricity usage (all time periods combined).

sample image of a smart meter

Press 3: Night time meter reading
Shows your night usage.
You’ll see A+T1 alternating in the top-right corner of the screen.

sample image of smart meter

Press 4: Day time meter reading
Shows your day usage.
You’ll see A+T2 alternating in the top-right corner of the screen.

sample image of smart meter

Press 5: Peak time meter reading
Shows your peak usage (if applicable).
You’ll see A+T3 alternating in the top-right corner of the screen.

sample image of smart meter 

Always read the numbers before “kWh” and include all digits for an accurate reading.

Please note:

  • Once your smart meter is installed and connected to ESB Networks, you don’t need to submit regular meter readings manually. Your smart meter readings are automatically shared with Bord Gáis Energy via ESB Networks once your meter connection is active.
  • If you've a smart meter but haven’t yet switched to a smart plan (or are on the Residential Variable Standard Smart tariff), ESB Networks will read your meter six times a year remotely. If remote reading isn’t possible due to poor signal or communication, an ESB Networks technician will read your meter manually when possible.
  • If you’ve chosen one of our smart half-hourly plans, ESB Networks reads your meter every 30 minutes and sends your meter data to us daily.
  • Customers can download a HDF file of their smart meter usage (regardless of whether you're on a smart plan or not), by going to ESB Network's online portal.

*The figures used in the images are for illustrative purposes only.