How to Read Your Meter

We read your meter regularly so we can send you a statement that reflects actual usage. There may be times when it’s more convenient for you to read your own meter.

Reading My Meter

There are several types of electric meters. The most common are digital and dial. When submitting your reading, please include all digits, even zeros. For a demonstration, please see any of the videos on the right.

I Have a Dial Meter

When recording your meter reading:

  • Always start with the dial on the RIGHT and move to the LEFT.
  • When calling in or reporting your meter, report the digits left to right.
  • When the hand on a dial is between two numbers, record the lower number, except if its between 9 and 0, then record it as 9.
  • A hand has not reached the higher number until the dial to its right has reached 0 (just like the mileage reading on a car).
  • Record every number (including any zeros)

Please note: Not all meters have 5 dials. In those cases, the blue highlighted dial would not be present.

Dial Meter

This reading would be 22952.

Submit your reading online

I Have a Digital Meter

Digital meters are easy to read. Simply read the meter and submit the numbers you see.

Submit your reading online

I Participate in Off-Peak Pricing

You have a special 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.


Estimated Billing

If you submitted a meter read and received an estimated bill, it could be due to one of the following reasons

  • You called in the meter reading after the bill print date.
  • The reading you provided does not fall in line with your history.
  • The reading provided fails an internal LIPA audit routine and a customer representative has to analyze the account.
  • Learn more about estimate billing

Helping Our Meter Readers to Serve You

We do our best to read your meter in a timely manner to ensure your bills are accurate. You can help us to serve you better by keeping in mind the following information...

 

How to Read Your Meter Videos


Submit a Meter Reading
Call 1-800-490-0025 or
Enter a meter reading online

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