How To Read Your

Electric Meter

This worksheet is designed to help you understand how your

kilowatt-hour (kWh) electricity usage is determined and to show you how
to read your electric meter. We’ve also provided some basics about how the
meter works and how to calculate your kWh usage.

The disc you see behind the glass on your meter moves only when electricity is being used. From the right end dial (1),
The “dials” then record that usage in kWh. The number of kWh used can be determined at read the number the pointer
any given time by getting your current reading and then subtracting the previous month’s has just passed..................................... 1
reading to give you the total kWh usage.
Dial 2 pointer is between two
Here is an example of a five-dial electric meter. The pointer in each dial moves from a numbers, so read the smaller one......... 0
smaller number to a larger one.
Dial 3 pointer has just passed
the number........................................... 1
901 109 901 109 901
8 2 2 8 8 2 2 8 8 2 Dial 4 pointer has passed

7 3 3 7 7 3 3 7 7 3
the number........................................... 5
654 456 654 456 654 Dial 5 pointer is between two
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1) numbers, the smaller one is.................. 7

Some pointers move clockwise, others counter-clockwise. Dials are read by starting at Written from left to right,
the right and moving to the left. When a pointer is between two numbers, the smaller the meter reading would be......... 75,101
number is recorded. On your bill, subtracting the “previous”
month’s reading from the “current”
Here are blank-face dials which represent your own residential electric meter. reading will indicate the amount of
Following the example shown above, you can record an up-to-the-minute reading electricityused during the month.
of the total kWh usage of your home. To get TODAY’S READING for your electric meter, For eample, if the previous reading was
draw lines to show the exact locations of the pointers on the meter dials. Starting on 73,822, the the kilowatt-hour use during
the right with (1), record the numbers below. the currentmonth would be 1,279 kWh.

901 109 901 109 901

Current Reading 75,101
8 2 2 8 8 2 2 8 8 2 Previous Reading -73,822
7 3 3 7 7 3 3 7 7 3 1,279 kWh
654 456 654 456 654
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)

Today’s
Reading (A): (5) _______ (4) _______ (3) _______ (2) _______ (1) _______
How do I calculate my usage?
To compute your current usage you will need two things:
• Your most recent bill
• The total consumption number from your electric meter

From there, calculating your energy usage is pretty easy. First, find the “Current”
number under “Meter Readings” at the top of your bill (B). Subtract that number from
today’s reading (A). The difference is your current kWh usage.

For example, if (B) is 75,101, the kilowatt-hour use from the last meter reading to
today would be 1,279 kWh.

Today’s Reading (A—from front of worksheet) 76,380 (as an example)

Current Reading (B—from bill) -75,101

Current Usage 1,279 kWh B

Smart Meters Are
Coming To Your
Neighborhood Soon!
Benefits of smart meters include:
• They are digital, secure and easier
to read.
• Energy usage data collected remotely
eliminates misreads and estimated
electricity bills.
• In the near future, meter readers no
longer will need access to customers’
property every month. If you don’t see
a meter reader visiting your property it
doesn’t mean Idaho Power is estimating
your electricity use—we’re reading it
remotely through your new smart meter!
• Reduced company vehicles and fuel
consumption result in environmental
benefits and cost savings.
You can use this number to compare your current usage to prior usage by looking at • Power outages may be restored faster
previous bills. They are available online at www.idahopower.com under “Account with greater meter communication
Manager.” If you’re not already an Account Manager, signing up is quick and easy and capabilities.
will give you access to many convenient features.

Definitions
Watt: The basic unit used to measure the amount of energy
required to power an electrical device.

Kilowatt (kW): One kilowatt equals 1,000 watts.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh): The basic unit of electric energy equal to one kilowatt Printed on recycled paper.

of power supplied to or taken from an electric circuit steadily for one hour. CID#43765 / 400 / 02-10
© 2010 Idaho Power