Part 1 of 10·Published on 24 Mar 2026 A smart meter reading is one of the most proactive steps you can take to ensure your billing is correct. While smart meters are designed to send readings automatically, knowing how to take a manual reading is still important if connectivity fails or you are switching suppliers. This guide simplifies the process so that you can confidently read your meter, validate your usage, and ensure your energy bills reflect the electricity and gas you actually consume.
Take the stress out of meter readings and billing for good. With Fuse Energy, you can choose between typing in your meter reading or taking a photo of it in our app if you don't have a connected smart meter and we'll handle the rest. Get clear bills, real-time half-hourly usage data, 24/7 human customer support, and a modern energy experience designed around you. Switch to Fuse Energy today in as little as 3 minutes, save annually on your bills, and see how simple energy can be.
- Locate both your gas and electricity meters.
- Press the correct button sequence to find the total usage screen.
- Record all digits before the decimal point, ignoring any red digits.
- If you are on a dual-rate tariff, record the readings for both rates 1 and 2.
- Record gas readings in cubic metres (m³) or cubic feet (ft³), and electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
- Use the Fuse Energy website or app to submit meter readings.
The rollout of smart meters was designed to eliminate the need for manual meter reading, and in most cases, it has succeeded. Your smart meter should automatically send your consumption data to your supplier on a regular basis. However, smart meter readings can sometimes fail to transmit, especially after a change in communication technology or a supplier switch. Knowing how to manually check your meter read is a vital backup plan. This is when submitting a manual reading becomes important as it protects you from receiving an estimated bill if submitted at the correct time.
Estimated bills rely on historical consumption patterns. If your lifestyle changes, such as going on holiday or using appliances less, those estimates may likely be inaccurate. Submitting a manual reading corrects these assumptions.
Most UK smart meters follow the same basic interface design. They either use a keypad or two buttons labelled A and B. Regardless of the model, the process can be simplified into three steps.
Identify your meter type
Start by checking the front of the meter. Landis+Gyr, Secure, and EDMI are common brands. If your meter has a keypad, it will look similar to a small calculator. If it has "A"/"B" buttons, these are used to scroll through the display screens.
Finding the "TOTAL Act Import" or "IMPRT" screen
- Locate the meter.
- Press any button to wake the screen if it's blank.
- Press the "OK" or "A" button to toggle through the screens.
- Stop when the screen shows the read followed by "kWh", "m³", or "ft³".
- This screen contains your actual meter reading.
When recording your reading, write down only the whole numbers before the decimal point. Any digits after the decimal or displayed in red represent fractions of a unit and should not be included unless your supplier specifically asks for them.
- Recording numbers after the decimal point.
- Submitting readings other than the active import reading.
- Forgetting to record both registers if on an off-peak tariff.
- Entering gas readings in the wrong unit (as m³ instead of ft³ or vice versa).
Managing your energy shouldn't feel like a monthly chore. While submitting meter readings can be necessary, Fuse Energy removes the friction around it. Instead of navigating clunky portals, you can simply upload a photo of your meter or type in the reading in our app, making the process faster, clearer, and less error-prone. You also get real-time, half-hourly usage data in the app and website if you have a connected smart meter, so you can see exactly how much you're using and stay in control of your usage. Our 24/7 human support team is always on hand with fast response times of under 5 minutes whenever you need help. Switch to Fuse Energy in as little as 3 minutes and find out about our mission.
Do smart meters need Wi-Fi to work?
No. Smart meters use a secure national smart meter network to transmit readings to energy suppliers.1 They do not rely on your home Wi-Fi connection.
What should I do if my meter is broken or faulty?
If you suspect your physical meter is broken, such as the display being blank or showing an obvious error code, you must contact your supplier immediately. They are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the meter and will arrange for an engineer to come and investigate and replace the unit if necessary.
Do I still need to submit readings if I switch to Fuse Energy?
In most smart meter homes, you shouldn't need to submit regular manual readings because data is collected automatically. If you have a non-smart meter, Fuse Energy makes the process straightforward and transparent by giving you multiple options to submit each month: either by taking a photo or by typing your reading in the app. The goal is fewer estimated bills and less administrative work for you.
Disclaimer
For the avoidance of doubt, this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal or financial advice. The author and/or Fuse Energy shall not be responsible for any losses arising out of any reliance on the information contained herein.
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