Most analog gas meters have 4 dials, but yours may have 5. The number of dials depends on the type of meter used by your gas company, as well as when it was manufactured. When a smaller dial makes a revolution, the next-higher dial goes up 1 point. Keep in mind that dials rotate in the opposite direction of the 1 next to them. For example, the first and third dials might turn counter clockwise, while the second and fourth dials turn clockwise.
If there is a fifth dial, then your reading will go up into the tens of thousands.
For example, if the needle is pointing between 4 and 5, you’d write down 4. This is true even if the needle is closer to the 5. If the needle is pointing between 0 and 9, you’d choose 9 even though it’s a higher number, since it comes before 0 on the dial.
For example, let’s say the first dial reads 5, the second dial reads 2, the third dial reads 7, and the fourth dial reads 4. Your reading would be 5274.
If the dial to its right has passed 0, then use the number the needle is hovering over. If it has not passed 0, then still use the smaller number. For example, the needle on a dial may hover over the number 3. Check that the dial to the right to see if it’s passed 0. If it did, use the 3. If not, use 2.
You can call and talk to customer service, or you can check their website. If you’re comfortable waiting until you get your next bill, you can compare your reading to their reading to see if it’s the same or not.
The extra dials, if they are present, will be smaller or larger than the ones used for taking a reading.
It’s helpful to locate both meters before you take a reading.
If you have an imperial meter, your display panel should have ft3 next to it to represent cubic feet. It will likely also have a panel with 4 digits, and possibly 2 decimal points. If you have a metrical meter, you should see m3 for cubic meters. The meter will likely have 5 digits, as well as 3 decimal points.
The number that appears on the screen represents your usage. There’s no need to do anything else.
For example, 3785 and 0003785 would both be written as 3785.
For example, 3785. 28 would be 3785.
Look at your gas bill to see what day the gas company usually checks your meter, though it can vary month-to-month. Checking it on the same day will give you the most accurate reading. For example, you might check your meter every month on the 1st.
If you have a copy of your bill, you get your previous month’s reading from it. Also, you can compare your reading to the gas company’s reading.
Compare this number to your bill to verify the gas company is only charging you for the gas you used. Remember, it can vary slightly depending on when you took the measurement.
