Power and gas self-reading: how and when to do it
Self-reading is the communication to the supplier of the reading of your meter: a simple operation that, in cases where it is still necessary, allows you to receive a bill calculated on actual consumption and not on estimates.
With the spread of remotely read meters, the situation has changed: for many supplies, the data is recorded automatically. However, it is useful to know when Self-reading is still required, how to do it for Power and gas, and through which channels to communicate it.
What is Power and Gas self-reading?
Self-reading of Power and Gas consumption is the operation through which the customer communicates to their supplier the value recorded directly on the meter. It is an important practice for verifying the actual status of consumption and preventing the bill from being calculated on estimates: by communicating the actual reading, the supplier can issue an accurate bill, based on what was actually consumed.
When the meter is not remotely read, the distributor cannot automatically record consumption and estimates the data based on historical behaviour. As a result, the amount to be paid may not reflect actual consumption: the bill adjustment then arrives in the next bill, either positive or negative.
Why is it useful to communicate the Self-reading?
Communicating the Self-reading allows you to align the bill with actual consumption, avoiding unexpected adjustments and making Energy expenses more predictable over time. Even in cases where the meter is already remotely read, knowing how Self-reading works is useful: if, exceptionally, remote reading is not detected, the manual reading may be requested.
Before proceeding with the communication, it is necessary to have two pieces of information at hand:
the 9-digit customer number, which can be found on the first page of the bill;
the reading shown on the meter.
How do you take the meter self-reading?
The methods for reading the meter vary according to the type of supply. Below you will find the instructions for Power and Gas, divided by meter type.
How do you take the Power self-reading?
Do you have a remotely read meter, 2G or electronic?
If your supply is powered by a remotely read electronic meter, including the 2G meter, it is no longer necessary to communicate the self-reading, ARERA Resolution 738/2016: your consumption is recorded automatically by the distributor.
If, exceptionally, remote reading is not recorded for two consecutive months, you will find instructions on how and when to communicate the reading in the “Information for you” section of your bill.
Do you have a traditional non-remotely read meter?
If your supply is powered by a traditional single-rate or non-remotely read meter, you can continue to communicate the Self-reading by following the methods indicated in the “Information for you” section of the bill. The reading you communicate will be used to calculate the next bill only if validated by the distributor.
How do you take the Gas self-reading?
Do you have a Smart Meter, remotely read meter?
If your gas supply is managed through a Smart Meter, namely a remotely read meter, consumption is recorded automatically by the distributor: it is not necessary to communicate the gas self-reading. If, exceptionally, two consecutive bills are issued based on estimated consumption, you will find the instructions for manual communication in the “Information for you” section of the bill.
Do you have a traditional meter? How to read the values
If you have a traditional gas meter, you can read consumption directly on the display or on the mechanical totalizer of the device. Usually, the value is expressed in cubic metres, m³: note down only the numbers before the comma or decimal point. To identify the meter, consult the label on the first page of the bill in the “Supply data” section. The reading you communicate will be used to calculate the next bill only if validated by the distributor.
To learn more about the characteristics of the device, you can visit the page dedicated to gas meters.
Transfer or change of supplier: how to communicate the self-reading?
If you need to carry out a transfer or change supplier and you do not have a remotely read meter, you can communicate the Self-reading pursuant to ARERA Resolution 100/2016/R/COM. The reading will be verified by the distributor and, if validated, may be used to calculate the final bill with the outgoing supplier.
The communication can be made within a precise window: between 5 working days before and 3 working days after the effective date of the transfer or change of supplier. The reading will be brought back to the actual date of contractual activation.
How to communicate the Self-reading: all available channels
You can communicate the Power or gas Self-reading through the following channels:
from the Customer Area: log in to your reserved area, entering your e-mail and password, and communicate the meter reading;
with the Enel Energia App: communicate the Self-reading directly from your smartphone;
with the toll-free number 800900837 from Italy, or +39 0664511012 from abroad, for a fee at the cost applied by your telephone operator;
at Spazio Enel or Spazio Enel Partner stores;
and also with Telegram! Click on https://t.me/EnelEnergiaBot and discover @EnelEnergiaBot
An overview: Power and Gas compared
The following table summarizes the main cases for Power and gas supply, with updated regulatory references.
| Situation | Power | Gas |
|---|---|---|
|
Remotely read meter |
Self-reading not required, ARERA Resolution 738/2016 |
Self-reading not required, Smart Meter |
|
Two consecutive estimated bills |
You will find instructions in the “Information for you” section of the bill |
You will find instructions in the “Information for you” section of the bill |
|
Traditional meter |
You can communicate the Self-reading according to the methods indicated on the bill |
You can communicate the Self-reading according to the methods indicated on the bill |
|
Transfer or change of supplier |
Mandatory communication, ARERA Resolution 100/2016/R/COM; window 5 days before / 3 days after |
Mandatory communication, ARERA Resolution 100/2016/R/COM; window 5 days before / 3 days after |
Frequently asked questions
For ordinary supplies with a non-remotely read meter, the bill indicates a preferred period within which to communicate the reading. If the communication takes place outside this interval, the data may not be used to calculate the current bill and estimated consumption may appear. The window is always indicated in the “Information for you” section of your bill.
If the reading communicated does not pass the validation phase by the distributor, the bill will be calculated on estimated consumption. This is not a definitive error: the actual data will be recorded or communicated again in the next cycle, with any adjustment in the following bill.
If the bill shows estimated consumption, check in the “Information for you” section whether communication of the Self-reading is requested and the period within which to do it. Once the actual reading has been communicated and validated by the distributor, the next bill will include the adjustment with actual consumption.
The communication channels are the same for both supplies: Customer Area, Enel Energia App, toll-free number, Spazio Enel and others. What changes is the value to communicate: for gas, it is the cubic metres recorded by the meter, only the numbers before the comma, while for Power the data depends on the type of meter, single-rate or by time slots.
The customer number can be found on the first page of the bill, usually at the top right, in the box with the customer data. If you cannot identify it, you can access the Customer Area or contact the toll-free number to receive it. Alternatively, to understand the exact layout of the items and orient yourself among the various boxes, you can consult our guides dedicated to how to read the Power bill and how to read the Gas bill.
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