How to read your electricity meter

To know your daily, bi-weekly and monthly energy consumption, you need to know how to read your electricity meter.  At least one meter is attached to each utility to monitor consumption, and based on the data collected by the meter, the provider will issue a bill. But how do you read the data and information on your electricity meter?

The first thing to know is the type of meter. Until 2001, all meters in the country were of the electromechanical type, using a metal disc to monitor consumption. Over the years, these have gradually been replaced by electronic meters that have allowed easier reading and more information for users. Developments did not stop there. Recently, 2G meters have been introduced to ensure better consumption management for users. Here is how they work and how to read the various types of meters.

How to read an electromechanical meter

Up to a decade ago, all meters were mechanical, but these were later replaced by the more modern electronic meters. As its name implies, an electromechanical meter uses a mechanical device to measure energy consumption. This consists of a metal disc that moves when electric current passes through it, and each revolution of the disc corresponds to a precise amount of energy consumed. For example, if an electromechanical counter is set at 1.8 kWh per revolution, this means that if we consume 1.8 kWh, the disc will complete one revolution; if we consume 3.6 kWh it will complete two, and so on. With each revolution, the nine-digit number indicating total consumption is updated. This type of meter can only measure the total energy that “passes” from the grid to our home, but it cannot calculate how much energy we consume during each time slot.

How to read an electronic meter

The electronic meter is the evolution of the electromechanical model and is connected directly to the management systems of the energy distributor, communicating consumption data for billing purposes.

Thanks to remote management, meter activation, increasing its power, reading consumption, and other activities can all be performed remotely, without the need for on-site intervention by technical staff.

Consumption is communicated directly to the provider via remote management. However, the user can check their consumption at any time, thanks to the LCD screen on the meter itself. Pressing the button on the meter several times will give us a range of information, including: customer ID, instant power input (expressed in kWh) and time slot at the time of reading.

How to read a 2G meter

The energy industry has also entered the “2.0” phase, thanks to the 2G meter. Since 2017, the gradual replacement of electronic meters with the new second-generation smart meters has begun. This allows the user to monitor daily consumption trends, thanks to quarter-hourly readings, via their energy provider’s website or app, so that bills are based on actual and not estimated consumption. This allows users to choose more flexible offers, tailored to their consumption needs.

Who owns the meter?

The meter is the property of the electricity distributor. If you have a fault with your electricity meter, you must contact your distributor at the toll-free number indicated on the first page of your Enel Energia power bill, in the “Per segnalare un guasto” box. 

How and when to take a meter reading

Thanks to remote management, it is now less necessary to send a meter reading, as our energy seller receives this data monthly. This means that bills today are much more accurate than in the past and there are far fewer “adjustments” to be paid. However, it is always possible to make a self-reading of electricity consumption by pressing the button on the meter until use for the current billing period appears on the display. Since power bills are usually bimonthly, it is useful to do a self-reading about ten days before the end of the current two-month period.

There are several ways to communicate your self-readings:

• from the Customer Area: log in to your account by entering your e-mail and password, and report your meter reading;

• with the Enel Energia App: communicate your self-reading straight from your smartphone;

• by text: send the reading from your mobile phone, quickly and easily, using the number 3399950877*, writing your CUSTOMER NUMBER (SPACE) and the VALUE of your meter reading. Once you have done this, you will receive a free confirmation text;

• with the toll-free number 800.900.837 from all national landlines and mobile phones;

• at the Spazio Enel;

• on Telegram. Click on https://t.me/EnelEnergiaBot and discover @EnelEnergiaBot.

What happens in case of meter failure?

The failure or malfunction of an electricity meter is a fairly rare but possible case. If the meter display does not switch on, if there is a fault code on the display, or if it is not powered due to tampering, then you must contact the supplier who installed it so that they can intervene. If the meter is found to be faulty, it will be replaced free of charge. If there is no actual malfunction of the meter, you will have to pay for the inspection in accordance with Energy Authority Regulations.

Can a meter be moved?

Yes. It is possible to request the relocation of an electricity meter by sending the request to the energy provider, who will forward it to the distributor. The costs of the move depend on several factors, but if you ask for a move you will receive an estimate within 20 working days of sending your request. Once the quote has been accepted, the distributor will send a technician to carry out the operation within 15 days (in simpler cases) or within 60 days (in more complex ones).

If I change provider, do I have to change my meter?

No. If you are thinking of changing your energy provider, you will not have to do anything to your meter. Just communicate your utility’s pod code to your new provider and they will take care of the rest.