It may seem difficult to read and understand electric meters. These meters monitor how much electricity you have consumed within a certain period of time. Based on this reading, the power company sends out your bills. If you want to be sure that your bills correspond correctly with your consumed electricity, it is best to learn how to interpret electric meter readings. Through this, you can help avoid electric companies from overcharging you every month.
Find the location of your electric meter. It is usually located on the side of your house near the garage. If you live in an apartment or condo there is usually a place on your floor where all the meters are place.
Determine if your meter is analog or digital. Digital electric meters will have a row of numbers. Analog meters, on the other hand, will have a row of little clock faces with hands that move. Some will move clockwise and some counterclockwise.
Stand directly in front of the meter. Both types of meters will have a wheel that turns. This indicates how fast you are using power. In the winter, unless you have electric heat, the wheel will move very slowly. In the summer when it is very hot and the air conditioner is on, the wheel will move more rapidly.
Look at the numbers on the meter. If your meter is digital, write down the numbers from left to right. Read the analog meter in a similar fashion. Look at the first little clock all the way on the left. Find the needle or the hand and write down the number it is closest to. If it is between the four and the five but it is closer to the four, write four for the first number. If it is in the middle, look at the dial to the right. If the hand has not passed zero, use the smaller number. If it has passed zero, use the larger number. Do this all the way across the dials. Write down the number on each dial, omitting the 1/10th in red at the end.
Take note of the reading and the date when you took the reading.
Check the reading again the next day. Compare your current reading with the reading that you took previously. Subtract the first reading from the second reading. You will see how much power you have used in a day.
Take your readings on the same day of the each month and you will know how much electricity you consumed. This will also give you an idea of how much your monthly electric bill will be.