Your gas, electric or smart meter

A meter with a red circle around some numbers.

Energy suppliers use meter readings to work out how much gas or electricity you have used.

An electric bill withy a red circle around some numbers.

Meter readings can be actual, smart or estimated. You might see them as A, S or E on your bill.

An information sign next to an electric bill.

To find out what other information will be on your energy bill, go to our How to understand your energy bill page.

A lady talking on the phone. In the speech bubble is a meter with a red circle around some numbers.

Actual (A) means that you have told your energy supplier your meter reading.

Smart (S) means that your smart meter has sent a meter reading to your energy supplier.

A man thinking. In the thought bubble is a meter and a question mark.

Estimated (E) means your energy supplier has guessed your meter reading.

an electric bill with an equals sign and a finger pointing at a meter

If your energy supplier has guessed your meter reading, it is a good idea to check if the numbers on your gas or electric meter are the same as the meter reading numbers on your bill.

A lady talking on the phone. In the speech bubble is a bill, an equals sign with a red cross through it and a finger pointing to a meter.

If the numbers are very different, it is a good idea to contact your energy supplier to let them know your meter reading.

A man smiling with his thumbs up. Behind him is an electric bill.

Your energy supplier can then send you a bill for the amount of gas or electricity you have used.

Smart meters

A red cross through an image of a woman talking on the phone about a meter.

If you have a smart meter, you do not have to send meter readings to your energy supplier.

Your smart meter sends the meter readings to your energy supplier.

A house with squares of electricity inside.

This means your energy supplier knows how much gas or electricity you have used.

If you have a smart meter, your energy company will also ask if you want an in-home display.

An in-home display shows you how much gas or electricity you are using each day.

Some people call an in-home display a IHD.

A lady talking on the phone. In the speech bubble is a smart meter.

You can talk to your energy supplier about having a smart meter if you do not have one.

A lady talking on the phone. In the speech bubble is a meter with some numbers. There is also a smart meter, an equals sign and a gas bill with a green tick beside it.

If you have a smart meter, or tell your energy supplier your meter reading, you will only be charged for the gas or electricity you have used.

A lady beside a meter. She has her hand on her head and a question mark beside her.

If you find it difficult to read your meter and have no-one to help you to read it, you might want to join the Priority Services Register .

A man with his thumbs up and a man talking about a meter.

If you are on the Priority Services Register , your energy company should be able to send someone to read your meter for you.

An information sign next to a list of people with different disabilities.

For more information about the Priority Services Register, go to our Priority Services Register page.

How to get help

A computer screen showing a picture of a group of people and the word welcome.

You can get help and advice on our website at www.mencap.org.uk/COL

A lady looking worried and thinking about money.

If you are worried about money, contact our Learning Disability Helpline:

Call us Monday to Friday on 0808 808 1111 

A computer screen showing a picture of an envelope and the word email.

Email us at [email protected] 

Fill in our online form 

Thank you to So Energy for funding.