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How to Read Your Meter

Reading your own electric or gas meter (if you’re a Peoples Gas customer) is easy. Simply read each dial like a clock from left to right, rounding down. Some of the dials run counterclockwise, but all you have to remember is that rounding down means you record the smaller of the two numbers closest to the pointer.

Meter Example

Reading left to right on the meter illustration, the first number is 1, the second number is 6, the third number is 3, the fourth number is 1 and the fifth number is 4.

This means your electric meter reading is 16314.

Send your meter reading in online if you have a "hard to access" meter.

How to read a digital meter

A digital meter will show the kilowatt-hour (kWh) reading on the display. Some digital meters will display readings continuously while others show the kWh reading followed by a test display with all 8’s.

How to determine this month’s electric bill

Follow these steps to calculate approximately how much money you owe for your electric bill. You’ll want to have last month’s bill handy for reference.

  1. Read your electric meter (refer to the instructions listed above if you’re not sure how to read your meter).
  2. Locate the meter reading listed on your last month’s electric bill.
  3. Subtract last month’s reading (step 2) from your current reading (step 1).
  4. The result is the amount of electricity (in kilowatt-hours, or kWh) your home has used since your last reading.
  5. Again, refer to last month’s bill to find your energy charge and fuel charge rates. Multiply the number of kWh by these rates and add the totals together.
  6. This number, plus the Tampa Electric customer charge and any franchise fee and/or applicable taxes, is approximately how much money you owe this month for your electric bill.

For more information about your electric bill, download our Helping You Understand Your Electric Bill brochure.