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Read the meter reading and estimate consumption correctly

Meter devices for electricity, water or natural gas determine your annual consumption. Once a year, it's time to read the meter reading. The correct reading of the electricity meter is crucial so that only the actual consumption is taken into account in your annual bill. This is done either by your network operator or by yourself. If neither is possible, the consumption is calculated ("estimated" in technical jargon).

We explain how to read meter readings and how intelligent metering systems such as the EnBW zuhause+ app help to correctly estimate the annual consumption of electricity, gas and heat.

Why is the meter reading read?

Meter readings are read by your grid operator or energy supplier in order to be able to carry out the most accurate consumption billing, i.e. how many kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity or how many cubic metres (m³) of water or gas have been consumed since the meter was installed. 

Since you pay instalments in advance, your energy supplier uses current and past consumption data to determine whether the monthly instalment is sufficient and whether an additional payment or credit is due. The discount for the next consumption period is determined on the basis of the meter reading. The meter readings are read not only to determine consumption, but also when changing suppliers, moving house or in the event of consumption discrepancies.

Woman pointing at meter reading

Whether analogue or digital: When reading the meter reading, the decimal places count.

Where are meter devices located?

A tradition when the annual reading of consumption data is due: looking for the right meters in the house. If you have memorized the following common locations for counting devices, you can save yourself the time-consuming search.

Electricity meter: In single-family homes, the electricity meter is usually located near the main fuses. In an apartment in an apartment building, on the other hand, it can also be installed in the basement. If you have difficulty locating the meter, a call to your landlord or property management will help if in doubt.

Water meters: In apartments in kitchens, in the bathroom or toilet. In single-family homes or apartment buildings, usually at the main tap or at the riser pipe in the basement or utility room.

Gas meter: Either in the basement, in the stairwell or near the gas and water connections.\

Who reads the meter reading?

Once a year, your grid operator or your energy supplier to communicate your meter reading. Depending on the contract, you yourself or employees of your network operator read the meter reading. If the meter reading is not transmitted or no one is present at the reading date, the meter reading is estimated by the grid operator or energy supplier.

How to read meter readings correctly

The meter devices of electricity, water and gas are very similar, so it is easy to remember the meter readings.

Electricity meter:

Analogue single-tariff electricity meters have a meter number (usually 8 digits, near the barcode), the meter reading in the form of a white sequence of numbers on a black background and an electricity meter wheel underneath. The meter reading is given in kilowatt hours (kWh). During the reading, only decimal places are noted. Do not specify the red framed numbers after the decimal point.

Illustration shows where the meter reading and the meter number can be read on an analogue meter, also known as a Ferraris meter.

With digital electricity meters, the meter reading is shown on a display. The display usually includes a sequence of numbers that represents the electricity consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh). Here, too, only the decimal places are noted. The meter number, which is used to identify the meter, can also be found on the device, usually near the barcode.

Illustration shows where the meter reading and meter number can be read on a digital meter.

Why does the electricity meter show two meter readings?

Electricity meter models with several displayed meter readings (also known as meters) are usually

so-called double tariff meters. With these you will find either two meter readings (for daytime electricity/high tariff and night electricity/low tariff) or two separate meter devices. With digital meter display, the meter reading is usually given without decimal places. Intelligent metering systems (iMS)can send the measuring goodsto the legally defined authorized persons via the "Smart Meter Gateway".

Water meter:

The meter number can be found as a stamped series of numbers (WZNr. abbreviated) usually at the top of the water meter. You will often see a small gear wheel in the middle. The meter reading for water consumption is given in cubic meters. If it is hot water consumption, the meter reading is outlined in red. If cold water is counted, the border is blue. Here, too, only decimal places matter.

Gas meter:

As with the electricity meter, you will find the meter number near the barcode and the meter reading as white numbers on a black background. Note only the decimal places. You usually do not have to enter the decimal places.

What is the difference between electricity and gas meters?

Not surewhether you have an electricity or gas meter in front of you? You can usually recognize electricity meters by their black or gray plastic housing and the consumptionis given here in kilowatt hours (kWh). Gas meters, on the other hand, are often made of metal, the meterunitunit is cubic meters (m³).

Correctly reading the bidirectional meter of your photovoltaic system

If you have a photovoltaic system, then you probably also have a so-called bidirectional meter. This measures the electricity you feed into the public grid and the electricity you draw from the power grid.

There are two separate, clearly marked counters (for supply and feed-in), which can be easily read. By the way, the meter reading continues to run continuously with mechanical meters. The display of electronic bidirectional meters normally alternates between electricity consumption and feed-in.

How are the meterreadings transmitted to the grid operator after reading?

Most providers allow digital transmission via the customer portal. Normally, you should receive a reminder for the notificationby e-mail. You can enter your values in the corresponding customer portal, via QR code or via app.If you are not digital, you will receive a card with the written notification of the annual meter reading: You fill it outafter reading the meter reading yourself and send it back to the provider by post .

When does the meter reading have to be transmitted?

You must read your electricity, water or natural gas meters at the beginning or end of a billing period. An annual reading is sufficient as long as you do not move, change providers or your tariff. The best way to record your meter reading is via your provider's customer portal.

Because your meter reading is usually needed for: 

  • Parades
  • New registrations
  • Changing tariffs
  • Notice
  • Price adjustments
  • of the annual statement

Switching to smart meters: What are intelligent metering systems?

Analogue metering devices will soon be a thing of the past. For example, the legislator stipulates that there should only be digital electricity meters by 2032 The installation of the modern, intelligent metering equipment will be carried out gradually by the metering point operators and can also be required by every household from 2025. 

Smart meters are intelligent metering systems that transmit consumption data via a digital communication interface (gateway), consume electricity intelligently and display consumption values transparently. With the smart meter, you no longer have to read and transmit anything. With the exchange of analogue measurement technologies, the legislator wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, digitise the electricity grid and promote an intelligent power grid (smart grid) that uses electricity from renewable energies efficiently and in a climate-friendly way.

A distinction is made between:

  1. Modern metering device (mME): Digital electricity meter that shows, among other things, electricity consumption and meter readings via a digital display, and can be upgraded to an intelligent metering system. The measured values are not automatically transmitted here.
  2. Intelligent metering system (iMS): Modern metering device with an additional communication module, the "Smart Meter Gateway", which communicates the measured values to the legally defined authorized persons (e.g. metering point operator, grid operator, supplier).

Predict consumption: How the EnBW zuhause+ app works

Knowing where meter devices are and how to read meter readings is all well and good. However, it is important to look for energy-saving opportunities based on the meter reading and to forecast the expected annual consumption. EnBW offers the zuhause+ app for this purpose.

Couple looking at mobile phone and smiling

How to: Reading meter readings is not difficult and can help to keep an eye on annual consumption.

With this free app, you can photograph meter readings for electricity, gas and heat and have the app extrapolate your expected annual consumption. To do this, it uses stored consumption/household data, seasonal consumption values, energy prices and contract prices. This means that you know at any time whether the discount will change at the end of the period or whether an additional payment or credit is due.

Here's how it works:

  1. You download the app from the Apple or Google Play Store.
  2. As an EnBW private customer, you create a myEnergyKey that uses your customer and consumption data to extrapolate your annual consumption.
  3. You scan the meter reading and let the zuhaus+ app determine a consumption forecast and cost estimate for the year. If the current discount is too low or too high, you can adjust it via the app.

myEnergyKey: Use all services with one access

The myEnergyKey gives you central access to the EnBW Group's diverse digital offerings. This also includes our EnBW zuhause+ app, our EnBW mobility+ app and the EnBW Smart immo+ portal. Find out more about the myEnergyKey and the many advantages you can secure with it.

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