If your business uses gas to help power its operations, you need to know how to read your gas meter. It is important to provide your business gas supplier with accurate meter readings to avoid usage estimations. Estimations of your business gas usage could be misjudged and may result in your business paying too much for its energy.
Gas meters display your energy usage in either imperial or metric measurements. An imperial meter will take a gas reading in cubic feet and a metric gas reading will be in cubic metres. When reading an imperial gas meter, you should use the first 4 digits, and ignore the digits after the decimal points. Metric meters normally display 5 digits, and similarly to imperial, the digits after the decimal point are ignored.
Imperial vs metric gas meters (and converting readings to kWh)
Imperial meters measure gas in hundreds of cubic feet (look for “ft³” on the meter). Metric meters measure cubic metres (“m³”). Suppliers bill in kilowatt hours (kWh), so they convert your reading using the formula set out by GOV.UK:
- Metric: units used (m³) × 1.02264 × calorific value ÷ 3.6 = kWh
- Imperial: first multiply the units used by 2.83 to convert hundreds of cubic feet to cubic metres, then apply the metric formula.
The calorific value (in MJ/m³) changes slightly day to day and is shown on your bill. The 1.02264 figure corrects for temperature and pressure, and dividing by 3.6 turns megajoules into kWh.
How to read a digital business gas meter
Digital business gas meters are read similarly to business electricity meters, from left to right while ignoring the numbers after the decimal place. Be sure to make a note of whether your meter readings are taken in cubic feet or cubic metres to ensure you are providing accurate details to your business gas supplier.
How to read a business gas dial meter
It can appear more difficult to read dial meters when measuring your business gas usage, however, it is very straightforward once you understand how they work.
Dial meters are read from left to right, but remember that each dial alternates between clockwise and anti-clockwise. If a dial is pointing between two numbers, use the lower number for your reading. If a dial is pointing directly at a number, underline that number and if the next dial is pointing at 9, then subtract 1 from the underlined number.
How to read an electronic business gas meter
Electronic business gas meters are read in the same way that digital gas meter readings are taken. You should read your meter from left to right, and ignore any numbers after the decimal place or that are displayed in red. As with all business gas meters, remember to take note of whether your measurement is being taken in cubic feet or cubic metres.
We advise that if you do not use an automatic meter, you should take regular gas readings and submit them to your supplier to ensure you receive accurate business gas bills. The more frequently you take your gas meter readings, the easier it will become to understand how to read your meter.
Have an electricity meter too? See how to read your business electricity meter.