How to read your meter

How to read an analogue meter

Analogue meters are the most common found in homes and small businesses in the Endeavour Energy network.

The meter used in the example below uses five dials to give a reading. Here's how to read it:

• Stand directly in front of the meter
• Read each dial in turn starting from left to right writing down each figure as you go
• When a dial hand points between numbers, record the lower number
• It is important to only read dials that are black
• In this example the reading would be 2-7-0-3-8

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Metering charges

Your electricity bill is made up of network and retail charges. Network charges cover the costs of maintaining the electricity network. It also includes a metering charge to cover the costs of reading and managing traditional meters.

Network Charges

The Australian Energy Regulator requires separate metering and network charges to promote competition. This means you will not be charged more for metering but separate charges may apply.

For more information on our metering charges please see our network price list.

New meters

When a customer needs a new meter - such as a new home, meter upgrade due to renovations, installing a solar PV system or air conditioning - new metering rules require a traditional meter to be replaced with a digital meter.

Retailers are responsible for the installation of new digital meters. Your energy retailer can provide more information on metering charges for a new smart meter.

Obtaining your meter data

You can access information about your energy consumption if you live in the Endeavour Energy network area. You can also request this information from your electricity retailer.

When learning how to read your electricity meter, some other commonly asked questions include:

How do I get access to my meter data?

Use our enquiry form to request your meter data. Or call us on 133 718.

Once you have contacted Endeavour Energy, we first need to verify you are entitled to receive the data using the information provided by your retailer.

You will need to provide the following details exactly as displayed on your electricity bill:

• National Metering Identifier (NMI) number
• your postcode
• your surname

In addition to the above you will also need to provide:

• the dates between which you are requesting meter data (up to a maximum of 2 years)
• whether you would like us to provide a summary or detailed report
• your contact phone number
• your email address

Queries?

If any of the details provided do not match information held in our systems, we will be unable to provide you the information. If this is the case, please contact your retailer to check your account details.

You will need to contact your retailer if your enquiry relates to:

• your electricity bill
• the amount charged on your electricity bill
• your retail tariff
• the reconciliation of data Endeavour Energy has provided to your retailer for your bill

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has detailed information about how meter data files are made.

Can I engage a third party to access my data?

Yes. If you provide your written consent, energy providers, consultants and other third parties may request data on your behalf.

To do so the third party, will need to provide the written proof of your consent.

If the details provided by the third party do not match our records, we are unable to release your meter data. If this is the case, please contact your retailer to check your account details.

The third party will need to provide the following details exactly as displayed on your electricity bill:

• National Metering Identifier (NMI) number
• postcode for which your account is held
• your surname

In addition to the above the third party will also need to provide:

• the dates between which you are requesting meter data (up to a maximum of 2 years)
• whether you would like us to provide a summary or a detailed report
• your contact telephone number
• your email address

What will I receive?

Your meter records data about how much electricity you are using which is used by your electricity retailer to generate accurate bills.

There are three types of meters used by Endeavour Energy which each record your electricity consumption in a different way. These are:

• accumulation meters – record your total power use. Most residential and small business customers in the Endeavour Energy network have accumulation meters
• interval meters – record your power use and when it is used to allow for time-of-use pricing
• smart meters – record power use every 30 minutes and can communicate remotely which may allow access to other customer services

If there has been a change to your meters during the requested period, two separate reports will be provided. An example of this is where your accumulation meter has been changed to an interval meter.

To learn more see different types of meters.

Accumulation and interval meters

Most Endeavour Energy household and small business customers have accumulation meters.

An accumulation meter records your total power use.

If you request the data from your accumulation meter you will receive a:

• summary report – which provides your power usage and generation for each meter measured in kilowatt hours (kWh)
• graphical display -  provides your power usage and generation in a tabulated form

Depending how electricity is supplied to your home, you may receive data from the following meters:

• general supply – which records the electricity used by appliances in your home or small business
• off-peak supply – which records the electricity used by storage hot water systems, heat pumps and pool filters which are hard wired and controlled by Endeavour Energy
• generation – records energy supplied from your solar system or other micro-generators which is fed back into the grid

Endeavour Energy generally reads your meter every three months if you are a residential and or small business customer.

If we have been unable to access your meter, we send an estimated meter reading to your retailer. Your report will advise if your meter data includes estimated meter reads.

Estimates are made in line with the National Metrology Procedure based on each customer’s usage for the same period in the previous year. This allows your retailer to bill you on their regular cycle. Once the meters are read next quarter, your actual consumption will be reconciled so you only pay for the energy used over the two billing cycles.

To allow for time-of-use pricing, interval meters records both your power use and the time when it is used.

Interval meters generally capture the amount of electricity used every 15 or 30 minutes. If you have interval meters you will receive a:

• summary report - which includes your maximum demand
• graphical display – which provides your power usage and generation in a tabulated form
• average daily load profile

Detailed interval data

Detailed reports are available for data from interval meters. These types of detailed reports are suitable for those who undertake detailed analysis of electricity consumption such as energy management consultants.

Where detailed reports are requested interval data is provided in Eastern Standard Time (EST) and any adjustments for Daylight Savings Time (DST) must be taken into consideration. To do this, you will need to shift the data by 1 hour, forward or backwards at 2am on the date the daylight savings time changes.

If you request a detailed report, further information will be sent with your report to help you understand your meter data.

How to interpret the data we send you

The table below explains the data included in the summary report for accumulation meters.

Interval meters

The table below explains the data included in the summary report for interval meters. Refer to our user guide for detailed interval reports.

Do I have to pay to get my data?

A charge may apply if you:

• request data more than four times in any twelve month period
• request data in a different manner or form specified in the AEMO meter data provision procedures
• are an authorised third party requesting meter data for more than one customer

You will be notified of any applicable charges before the data is provided.

How long will it take to get my data?

Where you are requesting meter data for one NMI, we will provide you the data within 10 business days upon receipt of a valid request.

A valid request is where all required information is provided.

If you are an authorised representative, delivery timeframes may vary, depending on the size of your request. We will contact you with an expected delivery timeframe if it is expected to be outside of the 10 business days.

To learn more about how to secure your meter, click here.