How to Read Your Electric Meter

There are several types of electric meters. The most common are digital and dial.

Download the 'Reading Your Electric Meter' brochurePDF

I Have a Dial Meter...
Dial meters take a bit more work. The hands or arrows on each dial turn like clocks. Some of the hands on the dials turn clockwise while the others turn counterclockwise. Each clock dial has the digits 0 through 9.

When you read your meter remember:

  • Read the dials right to left.
  • If the hand/arrow is between two numbers always record the lower number.
  • If the arrow points between 9 and 0, always record the reading as 9.
  • The dial to the right will determine what the dial to the left is reading.

Dial Meter

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I Have a Digital Meter...
Digital meters are easy to read. Simply read the meter and submit the numbers you see. Here’s an example of a digital meter:
Digital Meter

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I Have Off-Peak Pricing...
If you participate in LIPA’s Off-Peak Pricing, you have a special type of meter that must be read by a LIPA Meter Reader. Digital off-peak meters have one set of dials and a display reading. The dials indicate total cumulative energy use. The display reading shows cumulative energy use during different times of the day. You can find the reading in the Meter Reading section on your statement. To determine the total kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity you have used, just subtract the previous reading from the most current one. The answer is the amount of kilowatt hours (kWh) you have used during this billing period.

Help Our Meter Readers Serve You Better
We work hard to read your meter before we send a statement to you. Your next scheduled meter reading is shown on every statement you receive. Learn more about your electric meter with LIPA's electric meter facts!

Last Updated: 08/25/2008