July 24, 2024
As a home or property owner in Northern California, it makes economic sense to learn how to read your gas meter and interpret your gas bill. Learning how to read a gas meter takes only a few minutes and can lead to big savings.
The team at Service Champions Heating, Cooling, Water, and Electrical recommends learning how to calculate your gas usage. With this knowledge, you’re empowered to budget more effectively, identify potential leaks or inefficiencies, and ensure accurate billing.
Public utility companies are required to physically read your gas meter at least quarterly, but many try to read them every other month. However, often they can’t, in which case you receive an estimated bill based on prior usage rates.
The potential problem is that estimated gas bill calculation is often inaccurate, resulting in you being overcharged. By reading your own meter once a month, you can recognize inaccurate bills and maximize energy efficiency. Reading your gas meter is easy! You don’t need any special tools — just your phone to take pictures of the readings.
There are two types of gas meters: dial and digital. Regardless of which style meter you have, they work by measuring the force of the moving gas through the pipeline. The speed of the dials is determined by the flow of gas.
To read your gas meter numbers, you need to first find your meter. If you live in a single-unit home, your gas meter is generally located outside. It’s placed so that the gas line feeds through your gas meter and into your home’s heating and cooling system. However, sometimes — particularly if you live in a multi unit residence — the meter is located indoors, usually in the basement, utility closet, or in a building’s utility area.
Reading a dial gas meter is like reading a series of analog clocks. There are four or five dials and they measure how much gas is being used. Some dials move clockwise while some move counterclockwise. They will all go in the direction of 0 to 9.
Take a picture of the dial for your records.
Ignore any red dials that are marked “100 per rev” or any dial that is significantly larger than the other dials.
Read the dials from left to right.
Starting with the furthest left dial, write down the number that the dial hand hovers over.
If the dial falls between two numbers, write down the lower number (even if it is closer to the higher number). If, however, the dial is in between 9 and 0, write down 9 since technically the 0 marks the beginning of a new rotation and hence a higher number.
If a dial is in between 9 and 0, write down 9 and then reduce the previous number by one. For example, if your second dial was 2 and the third dial fell between 9 and 0, write down 1 for the second dial and 9 for the third dial.
Reading a digital gas meter is more straightforward. Your gas usage is simply the number displayed read left to right. Take a picture for your records.
Your gas provider typically bills you based on the units of gas consumed during the billing period. Keep in mind that most gas meters aren’t reset each month, meaning the display number continually increases.
To calculate your gas usage, subtract last month’s reading from this month’s. Or, Gas Consumption = Current Reading − Previous Reading.
Now that you know your gas usage, you can estimate your gas bill.
To understand your gas bill, you’ll need to know how your provider measures gas consumption. Usually, it’s measured by units of cubic feet. The most common unit used is the therm, which is equal to 100 cubic feet. Next, you need to know what they charge per unit. You’ll find your standard consumption unit and your unit rate on your gas bill.
Now multiply the number you calculated for gas consumption by the unit rate provided on your bill to estimate your cost for the current billing cycle. Or, Estimated Gas Bill = Gas Consumption × Unit Rate.
Saving money on your gas bill involves being mindful of your energy usage and implementing energy-saving practices. Here are some energy saving tips to reduce your gas consumption:
Get a home energy audit: A home audit is an inspection and written report conducted by professionals to help you understand how you use energy and how to be more efficient.
Take advantage of time-of-use rates: If your utility offers time-of-use rates, consider adjusting your energy use to off-peak hours when rates are lower.
Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances: Upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances could help reduce gas consumption over time.
Improve home insulation: Seal leaks and drafts in your home.
Lower thermostat settings or use a programmable thermostat: Turn down your thermostat at night and when you’re not home.
Install a smart gas meter: Smart meters allow you to monitor and adjust your energy use.
Service Champions team members can evaluate not just your meter, but your entire heating and cooling system. Join our MVP+ Program to receive annual tune-ups, discounts, and premium service.
Worried you can’t afford an installation or repair? We also offer several financing options to fit your budget.
We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on our work. Contact us today to ask questions or schedule a service.
Several factors may contribute to a high gas bill, such as:
Seasonal variations: Gas consumption tends to increase during colder months.
Billing period length: If your current bill covers a longer period than usual, it may appear higher.
Unit rates and tariffs: Gas prices can fluctuate based on market conditions.
Additional charges or fees: Your bill may include additional charges, such as service fees, delivery charges, taxes, or surcharges.
Leaks or wastage: Even small leaks in appliances can lead to increased gas usage.
Usage patterns: Review your daily habits and ensure that gas-consuming appliances are used efficiently.
Estimated bills: An estimated bill might not accurately reflect your actual usage.
A smart gas meter is a device that uses two-way communication to automatically send gas consumption readings to an energy supplier. Smart meters often include an in-home display screen to help users monitor and reduce their energy use.
There are many benefits to a smart gas meter, such as.
Accurate billing: Smart meters provide real-time data on your gas usage, eliminating the need for estimated bills.
Remote reading: Smart meters automatically send readings to your gas provider, removing the need for manual readings and reducing the possibility of human error.
Usage monitoring: Increased visibility helps you identify patterns, understand how appliances affect your usage, and make informed decisions to conserve energy.
Improved energy efficiency: By understanding your usage patterns and receiving real-time feedback, you can adjust your behavior to use gas more efficiently.
Remote control: You may be able to remotely adjust thermostat settings or turn off appliances, enhancing convenience and energy management.
Customer support: Smart meters facilitate better customer support by providing accurate and timely data. If you have concerns about your gas usage or bill, customer service can access detailed information quickly.
Contact your energy supplier about getting a smart gas meter, or they may reach out to you about installing one. They’ll often provide a smart meter when you get a new meter installed.
