How to read your meter and track your electricity use

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Reading your meter

When you read your meter you can track your energy use, so you know when you use your power – and what your next bill might be. We also offer a self-read service for people who have received estimated bills due to access issues.  

 

Dial Meter

Dial meter

  • Stand directly in front of your meter.
  • Read the dial on the left first. (Ignore the dial underneath).
  • Look at the two numbers the pointer is between and record the lowest number. (If the pointer is between 9 and 0, record 9.)
  • Do the same with each dial, reading left to right.

 

Digital Meter

Digital electricity meter

Read the number on the display for each electricity tariff attached to the meter.

The most common digital or dual-rate meters the display will cycle through are:

  • 10 – Element 1 (Tariff 22 or 31 — light and power)
  • 20 – Element 2 (Tariff 41, 42, 61 or 62 if applicable — HydroHeat, hot water and/or Off-Peak)

To check which tariff each element refers to, please check the back of your bill.

 

 

Digital Meter

Solar electricity meter

For the most common digital or dual rate meters, the display will cycle through:

 01 – Date

 02 – Time

 03 – Import to the grid – Electricity you generate back into the grid when you are producing more than you use (this number will show the total amount of electricity you have imported from the day your meter was installed).

 04 – Export from the grid – Electricity you are using to run light and power (Tariff 1)

 05 – Export from the grid – Electricity you are using to run hot water or Off-Peak (Tariff 2)

 90 – Relay 1 status

 91 – Relay 2 status (if applicable)

 

The readings don’t show all the energy produced during a period, only the power that’s flowed to and from the grid.

 

 

Odometer

Odometer electricity meter

Just like an odometer in your car, numbers are read from left to right to show five digits of kilowatt-hours of electricity you’ve used.

 

Advanced Meter

If you have an advanced meter (one which records your usage every 30 minutes and sends your data back to us remotely) you won't be able to self-read your meter. This is because of the way your meter records and displays your usage information. We have your usage data in our system, so you can always call us if you have any questions!  

Submit a self-read

If you’ve received an estimated bill from us you may be able to submit a self-read. Just record your meter reading (by using the instructions on this page) and call us on 1300 132 003. You’ll need to do this before the due date of your bill.

Once you’ve provided your read, we’ll validate it. If it’s successful your bill will be re-issued based on your reading. If your reading is unsuccessful we’ll let you know why and your options for resolution. 

Track your power 

If you have a basic meter you can monitor your usage and find out what might be using the most energy in 3 simple steps.

  1. Take a reading of your meter at the same time each day. Try doing this for at least a week.
  2. Record which appliances you used each day.
  3. At the end of the week, look at your findings to understand which appliances may be using most the energy in your house.

Even more control 

If you want to track your power usage daily (and down to the hour), aurora+ gives you access to your usage via an app, so you can see exactly what you’re using and when.

Plus you’ll never get bill shock again because you’ll always know exactly what you owe. Easy in-app payments and monthly billing keeps you in control and on top of your power costs.

Your next bill

To predict your next bill (or at least what you've used since your last bill 'til now), you'll need your last Aurora Energy bill and access to read your meter.



Next, go to our online bill estimator tool. Fill in the numbers in the appropriate sections and the calculator will work it out for you!.