If you want to get an accurate gas meter reading, your best bet is to take care of it yourself. The dials and digits on the counter may seem complicated, but the procedure is actually quite simple.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Analog Counter
Step 1. Check the watch faces
Most analog meters have four or five separate dials. On the simpler counters these dials are all lined up in a row, but in some counters they are grouped into a single unit.
- Most counters have four dials, but some have five.
- Analog meters are older and more popular than digital meters.
- Notice that the contiguous quadrants turn in opposite directions. Usually, the first and third dials turn counterclockwise, while the second and fourth dials turn clockwise. When the counter has a fifth dial, it also turns counterclockwise.
- Ignore the reading of any dials that are red or marked with the words "100 per giro." Likewise, if in a single unit one quadrant is considerably larger than the others, it should not be read.
Step 2. Read from left to right
Unless there are different indications inside the meter panel, you have to read the dials one by one, from left to right. The digit to be read is the one on which the counter hand rests. As you read the figures, write them side by side in the same order (left to right) on a sheet of paper.
- When you write down the meter reading, line up the numbers directly in a row without any separation between one and the other.
- For example, if the first dial reads "2", the second "5", the third "7", and the fourth "1", the correct meter reading is "2571".
Step 3. If in doubt, select the lower figure
If the counter hand is midway between two digits, choose the lower one.
- For example, if in one of the dials the hand is between "3" and "4", you should record "3" instead of "4."
- However, if the dial hand is between "9" and "0," you should read "9" instead of "0." Since the dial digits range from "0" to "9", the number "0" marks the start of another rotation, while the "9" still belongs to the previous rotation, so technically it corresponds to a lower value.
- The hand must reach the notch of the next higher digit for that digit to be registered. For example, even if the hand is closer to "5" than to "4", it is still necessary to record the "4", as the hand has not passed the "5" mark.
Step 4. When in doubt about the exact position of the hand, look at the next quadrant on the right to double check the previous quadrant
When a dial hand seems to land exactly on a digit, check the dial immediately to the right. If the hand of that second quadrant has passed the "0" digit, note the number on which the hand of the first quadrant appears to be resting.
- Conversely, if the hand on the right quadrant has not passed the "0" digit, in the left quadrant you must note the digit immediately preceding the one on which the hand appears to rest.
- For example, if the second quadrant hand appears to land on the number "3", check the third quadrant hand. If the third quadrant is between "9" and "0", you must read the second quadrant as "3". If the third quadrant hand is positioned elsewhere, however, you should still read the second quadrant as "2", since the hand is likely to be just before the notch and not directly above it.
Method 2 of 2: Digital Counter
Step 1. Look at the counter
Digital meters can display the reading using both the metric system and the British units of measure (in English-speaking countries). The unit of measure can be reported on the meter panel, but if it is not, the type of unit of measure used can usually be determined based on how many numeric placeholders are present.
- A British-type meter measures gas in cubic feet (cubic feet in English), so next to the panel display is the abbreviation ft3. British counters also have panels with four digits to the left of the decimal point and two digits to the right of the decimal point.
- A meter that uses the metric system, such as those used in Italy, measures gas in cubic meters, so next to the panel display is the abbreviation m3. These counters also have panels with five digits to the left of the decimal point and three digits to the right of the decimal point.
- Note that digital meters are increasingly common these days, but analog meters still tend to be prevalent. Digital meters are found more frequently in new homes and are used only by some natural gas suppliers.
Step 2. Write down the main digits from left to right
Read the digital counter panel from left to right, noting the numbers exactly as you see them. Records only the main digits on the central panel display.
- The main digits are easy to identify because they are black on a white background or white on a black background.
- When you write down the numbers of the reading, write them exactly as you see them, with no separation between one and the other.
- For example, if the main digits of the meter panel are "3872", you must write them down exactly as "3872".
Step 3. Ignore the other digits
Depending on the digital counter model, there may be additional smaller digits displayed elsewhere on the panel. When taking the meter reading, these figures can be left out.
- Ignore the red digits or any digits located inside a red box.
- Ignore zeros and all decimal numbers after the comma.
- For example, if the counter shows "9314.78", just write down "9314".
- Similarly, if the number "9314" written in white or black, with "78" in red or bordered in red appears on the counter, note only "9314".
- If the meter shows something like "9314" in white with a "0" in black, just write down "9314".
Advice
- Most natural gas supplier companies allow you to report your meter reading over the phone or over the internet. To find out if this option is available, contact the gas company by calling the telephone number found at the top of your most recent gas bill.
- When you report the meter reading yourself, the gas company's computers immediately detect whether that reading is unusually high or low. If there is a potential failure, customer service will contact you to resolve it.
- Gas companies usually take the real meter reading every month or every other month. If you intend to report your meter reading personally, do so before the next date the gas company is scheduled to read the meter. This date is usually found on the last bill.
- Note that some gas companies also allow you to call to set a specific time and date for the reading.
Warnings
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Certain obstacles may prevent the attendant sent by the gas company from easily reading the meter. Dense vegetation, the presence of unfriendly dogs, a blocked gate, in particular, can prevent the attendant from making an accurate reading of the meter. Before proceeding with the meter reading, remove any obstacles that prevent easy access to the meter. If not, expect the company to send you an invoice based on estimated consumption.
Estimated readings should be reported on your gas bill and are determined using a formula that considers your average consumption, current weather conditions, and any other foreseeable factors that may affect your gas consumption for the billing period
- If your most recent gas bill is significantly higher or lower than usual, take the reading yourself to determine if the company's one was accurate. If the reading appears accurate, there could be a problem with the meter itself, in which case you should notify the gas company.
