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Rank 1
January 17, 2019
Solved

How do I take a manual reading on my smart meter?

  • January 17, 2019
  • 45 replies
  • 11816 views

Hi, I have not had anyone round to check my smart meter readings for months and months. I’d like to check the meters match my bills? Is it possible to read them the old fashioned way to check?

Best answer by PeterR1947

Updated on 23/10/25 by Ben_OVO


Smart meters send us reads automatically so you don’t have to. We do also send an engineer to take manual reads around once every two years.

You can check the most recent readings that your Smart meters sent to us on the ‘Meter Readings’ page of your online account or OVO app (download for Android or iOS).

​​​

To check this against the reading shown on the meter itself follow the directions below to read your Smart meter manually

 

For SMETS1 ‘Secure’ smart meters:

 

There’s a slight difference between the the S1 meters we used to install. To take a dual (day/night) reading from Secure Liberty 110 S1 smart meters (which are designed to work best with storage heaters), press 9 on the meter’s keypad. If you’ve got a Secure Liberty 100 S1 smart meter, press 6 to confirm the Day and Night meter readings (pressing 9 will show the reading if you’re a single rate member with this meter).
 

For SMETS2 Aclara, Flonidan, Honeywell or Elster smart meters:

 

  Aclara (Elec) / Flonidan (Gas) Elster (Elec) / Honeywell (Gas)
Reading the meter
  • Elec: Press A three times until TOU Rate 1 appears.
  • Gas: Press C to wake up, then C to access the menu. Use B to scroll and C to select the reading option.
  • Elec: Press the top button once or twice
  • Gas: Press the circle button once or twice

 

 

Worried that your smart meter has lost communication? You can help diagnose this by following the smart meter health check for your meter type below, then reaching out to the Support Team:

 

SMETS1 Secure Smart Meter Health Check guide

 

The SMETS2 Smart Meter Health Check

 

There’s also some great smart meter troubleshooting steps on our website here.

 

 

OVO customer but not got a smart meter yet? - Book today!

Interested but not yet an OVO member? - Check out our plans!

 

45 replies

Newcomer
March 14, 2020

Hello out there!

I am moving to another supplier & have been asked for meter 

readings.

I can’t see how to read these meters.

Does anyone have “the knowledge” ?

David

Newcomer
March 16, 2020

https://help.so.energy/support/solutions/articles/7000023265-how-do-i-read-my-smart-meter-

 

Not sure what meter you have but this should help you.^^^ You'll want to give electric in kwh and gas the volume m3 reading.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Transparent
Rank 20
Rank 20
March 16, 2020

@TyGwyn - we can provide better answers if we knew what type of meters you have. Either give us the manufacturer name and model number, or else post a photo here.

Thanks.

Save energy... recycle electrons!
Newcomer
March 16, 2020

Thanks for your responses.

I have different meters for gas & electricity. Gas meter is labelled as “ Secure Liberty EG4v11. Type code G01153”

Electricity meter is “Secure Liberty 100 Type code E1SOB1”

I have also discovered from both suppliers that if the numbers “6” or “9” are pressed the meter gives up its secrets, in a string of info. The title of the field displays first followed by the value.

This is still a little confusing as I don’t have a previous figure to compare it with.

Gas meter is simpler as it only has one tariff & as Nik86 has told me the units are shown for each value

The Electricity meter a little more involved as it’s dual tariff, & I think I might have to go outside with a torch in the dead of night to read the night time values.

Any more help with this would be appreciated

TyGwyn

Ed_OVO
Retired Moderator
Retired Moderator
March 16, 2020

@TyGwyn @Nick86 @Transparent I’ve moved your conversation over here, as the info here is relevant.

 

If it’s a smart meter, have a look at the best answer:

 

Reading your electricity smart meter is easy, simply press the "9" key, the end of a pen or pencil is best for this. First off the display reads "IMP KWH" followed by a number for example "0001889.6" which is the number you need to be able to check your usage.

if you have solar panels, the next reading is useful "EXP KWH" is the total electricity exported to grid for example "0000272.4" then a load of other readings which you don'y need.

Reading the gas meter is similar, first it gives you the volume in cubic meters which is again what you need to check your usage, followed by the kWh and other details you don't need

 

There’s another topic on this here.

 

I'm shocking at energy puns...
Newcomer
March 17, 2020

Hello @PeterR1947 @Transparent 

Thanks for this information, the mystery of the titles now seems to make some sense. Pity I haven’t got solar though.

Do you know how I can read the different tariffs, that is daytime usage, nightime usage separately?

Thanks

TyGwyn

Nancy_OVO
Retired Moderator
Retired Moderator
March 19, 2020

Hi @TyGwyn - if you have a two rate meter you can get the separate readings by pressing button 7!

Your guiding light(bulb)
Newcomer
January 29, 2023

Hi 

Total newbie to meters of any kind let only clever ones !!

I am moving into a property and there are smart meters , the elctric one is flashing the gas isnt .. i dont know how to use it ..th eguy at scottish power said push the red n green buttons at the same time tried this then i tried the green and then read ..i get ..vend ..rejected..incomplete .i have signed up for monthly direct debit so help would be appreciated ..btw the first time it did say £4.60 credit , i havent used any electricity but today i tried again and there £1,79 ??? cheers 

juliamc
Rank 20
Rank 20
January 29, 2023

Can you post a photo of it here ?

Newcomer
January 29, 2023

Thanks for your reply , im  not at the flat at the moment but i will take a pic tomorrow