As a business owner, keeping track of your energy usage is essential for managing costs and improving efficiency. One of the most common questions we get from businesses is, "Where is my electricity meter?"
Knowing where and how to read your electricity meter is crucial to managing energy costs.
Why locating your electricity meter is important
Electricity meters are the gateway to understanding your business's energy usage. Accurate readings help ensure your bills are correct and prevent unexpected charges. Accessing your meter is the first step if you’re looking to switch energy suppliers, install a smart meter, or monitor your consumption.
Common locations of business electricity meters
Unlike domestic meters, which are often easy to find, business electricity meters can be in various places depending on the type of premises. Here are some common locations:
- Inside Your Premises: In many small businesses, especially retail shops and offices, the electricity meter is inside, often in a utility cupboard, basement, or storage room.
- External Meter Cabinets: Some businesses have their meters outside in secure cabinets, especially if the building has multiple tenants.
- Shared Meter Rooms: If you operate from a commercial building with multiple businesses, the meter might be in a shared meter room managed by the landlord.
- Industrial Sites and Warehouses: Large industrial sites may have meters in designated electrical rooms, plant rooms, or even external enclosures near transformers.
- Hard-to-Reach Locations: In some cases, especially in older buildings, meters can be hidden in unexpected places, such as high up on walls, under staircases, or even behind panels.
If you’re struggling to find your meter, check with your landlord, facilities manager, or energy broker for guidance.
How to identify your meter
Once you’ve found your electricity meter, you’ll need to confirm it’s the correct one. Here’s how:
- Check the meter serial number (MSN): This is a unique identifier, usually printed on the front of the meter, that should match the number on your energy bill.
- Look at the display: Your meter will show your electricity usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh), essential for submitting accurate meter readings.
- Verify the type of meter: If you have a smart meter installed, it will have a digital display and may send readings automatically to your supplier.
The benefits of a smart meter
If you haven’t already, consider getting a smart meter installed. Smart meters remove the hassle of manual meter readings by automatically sending usage data to your energy supplier. This ensures accurate billing, eliminates estimated readings, and helps businesses monitor and reduce energy usage more effectively.
What to do if you can't find your meter
If you’ve searched your premises and still can’t locate your electricity meter, try the following:
- Check your energy bill: Your bill might indicate the type of meter you have and its location.
- Contact your energy supplier: They can provide details on where your meter should be.
- Speak to your landlord or facilities manager: If you rent your business premises, they should know where the meter is.
Knowing where your electricity meter is and how to read it is an essential part of managing your business’s energy usage. Whether you need to submit meter readings, check if you have a smart meter installed, or monitor your consumption for cost-saving opportunities, having easy access to your meter is key. If you need further guidance, speak to an energy broker to help ensure you’re on the best energy deal for your business.
For more energy-saving tips or assistance with your business energy supply, feel free to get in touch with our team of expert energy brokers today!
If you're looking to save money on your energy bills then why not get in touch today? The relationships Resolve Energy has developed with over 24 of the UK’s biggest business energy suppliers allows our energy experts to source the best business energy rates available for your company right when you need them. Request a free quote today and start saving money on your energy.
