Gas and electricity meters track how much energy you use. Here’s how to read your meter and keep on top of your energy bills.
Taking regular meter readings and submitting them to your supplier ensures you’re only charged for the energy you actually use.
If you don’t supply meter readings, your energy supplier will estimate your usage which will affect how much you are paying. This could mean:
How you read your meter depends on the type of meter you have installed in your home. Older houses will tend to have dial or mechanical meters.
Here’s an example:
Your meter reading would therefore be 05812.
Here’s an example:
Your meter reading would therefore be 01842.
Here’s an example:
Your meter reading would therefore be 2343.
These meters either have Day and Night or the digits 1 and 2 or the Roman numerals I and II beside each reading. 1 refers to night-time usage and 2 refers to daytime usage.
Night charges apply between:
Smart meter readings are sent automatically to your supplier so you should only be charged for the energy you use and don’t need to worry about providing your own readings.
ESB Networks is rolling out the National Smart Metering Programme between 2019 and 2024 which aims to replace all existing electricity meters with smart meters. Here are some of the benefits:
If you’d like to know more about smart meters and how they will benefit you, visit our helpful guide What your smart meter upgrade means for you to find out more.
It’s likely that your bill is using estimated figures, instead of your actual meter readings.
Find your most recent bill and compare your new readings against your last estimated readings. If they are very different, you have been paying too much or too little.
Your reading is lower than the estimate and you may be overpaying:
Your reading is higher than the estimate and you may be underpaying:
Once you’ve taken your reading, you usually have a choice of how to submit it to your supplier, for example by text, website or mobile app.
There is also an option to provide you readings directly to the energy networks if you are unsure who your supplier is or don’t have their details to hand:
To submit a gas meter reading by phone, call Gas Networks Ireland on 1850 427 732 anytime, or use their online meter reading service. You will need to provide your:
To submit an electricity meter reading, visit the ESB Networks website. You will need to provide your:
If your gas or electricity meter reading looks damaged, contact your supplier as soon as possible to let them know there could be something wrong with your meter.
The GPRN is the Gas Point Reference Number, which is a unique identifying number for the gas meter at your property. It is seven digits long.
The MPRN is the Meter Point Reference Number, which is the unique identifying number for the electricity meter at your property.
You need these numbers if you plan to switch energy providers or are getting a first-time connection to new premises.
You can normally find either number on the top right corner of your energy bill.
If you don’t have a previous bill to hand, you can:
Although the MPRN & GPRN are the meter’s identifying numbers, you won’t find them on the meters.
Cutting down on your usage is an easy way to save money on your energy bills, our top energy saving tips offer practical solutions that can add up.
Submitting meter readings regularly will help you to keep on top of your energy bills and make sure you don’t get any unexpectedly high bills.
Now you know your energy usage, you can start using the figures to compare offers from gas & electricity suppliers across Ireland to find out how much you could save by switching. You can find out more about switching your gas and electricity in our helpful guides section.
If you are a pensioner or low-income household, you may be able to get a fuel allowance. Find out more in our guide about what help is available to pay energy bills.
It only takes a few minutes to find a cheaper deal and start saving
ESB Networks is overseeing the rollout of all smart meters and are dealing with early registrations for smart meters directly. If you would like to enquire about installing a Smart Meter, please contact them on 1800 928 123 or 01 698 5005.
Prepayment or PAYG meters will vary, but usually, the display on your meter will show your remaining credit.
Electricity meters are often located under the stairs or near the front door. It could also be inside your porch or entrance hall or possibly on an outside wall.
In houses, they tend to be located outside in a meter box or storage area. They may be in the kitchen, under the stairs or in the hallway.
If you live in an apartment, flat or shared dwelling, it is likely that all of the meters are located in one central area outside of your apartment. Check with your landlord or lettings agent if you don’t own the property.