There are several reasons why you'd want to know

how to read a meter.

One reason, you might be interested in just how much gas, electricity and water you use in a day, a week, a month a quarter or a YEAR. If you read your meter at the beginning and the end of the time frame selected. You can then compare the two totals. By subtracting the latest from the previous you will be able to easily work out how much gas, electricity water you and your family have used. And maybe, more importantly, how much it is costing you! This alone is alone is one reason of why you need to know how to read a meter.

The next reason for knowing how to read a meter is to check for any problems with the meter or the equipment it is measuring.

For a gas meter turn off all gas equipment like hot water boiler, fires, cookers and any other gas appliance. Then check your gas meter if the dials are still turning, there is a problem. So check for leaks or contact your supplier.

For an electric meter turn off all electric appliances large ones like hot water heaters, fires, cookers and any other smaller appliances and lights. Then check your electric meter if the dials are still turning, there is a problem. So contact your supplier.

To check a water meter just turn off all the house taps, inside and out.  Then check your water meter if the dials are still turning, there is a possible leak in your home.  Then turn off the main water supply to your home and check the meter. If it is still turning contact your supplier. 

Learning how to read a meter is beneficial.

Because when you learn how to read a meter you are in control of your consumption. And you can make sure your bills are as accurate as possible.  The best way to do that is with actual, not estimated meter readings. So if you send your supplier meter readings, ideally every month, then you can expect to receive more accurate bills.
Meters are highly accurate instruments but on occasions can go wrong. If yours does if you know how to read a meter you will quickly identify that there is a problem.

Reading your meter often, along with careful observation of the weather and appliances being used, can help you manage energy consumption and evaluate the effectiveness of appliances.

Knowing how to read a meter is also handy to know for times when your supplier can’t, for whatever reason, gain access to the meter.

When a meter reading card is left in your mailbox, you will be able to assist your supplier by reading your meters yourself and submitting a meter reading online, by mail or by phone.  If you mail your meter reading, be sure to date and sign the self-read card. Make sure that your address and meter numbers is clearly marked on the card and add your account number from your Utility Statement.

If you read the meter yourself, keep in mind that your supplier needs, by law, periodic access to the meter to verify your readings and make sure the meter is working properly.

Knowing how to read your meter will keep your account current and accurate between readings.

In Cold Weather Compare Gas and Electricity Prices

As the cold weather hits Europe many of it's countries are seeing a record demand that is then reflected in the price of Gas and Electricity.
Consumers wanting to compare gas and electricity prices should do so now!
A report from Reuters says - The cold snap which has gripped Europe and killed 60 people in the east is set to lift European power and gas prices further as energy demand for heating surges while temperatures are expected to stay below freezing point. The power system  across Europe is even more stretched with nuclear plant outages putting strain on other areas. Electricity and gas prices have climbed to fresh highs after a prolonged period of mild weather. The economic slowdown has also help depress demand levels well below the seasonal norms.

Compare Gas and Electricity Suppliers

In France power demand has risen close to record high in January and the cold will be affecting Europe which will lead to lots of it's citizens paying out money in heating costs. To save money they should now compare gas and electricity prices and switch to the most economic providers.

  
FRANCE

French energy demand is expected to climb close to and maybe exceed record highs as temperatures are forecast to drop as much as 10.2 degrees Celsius below the seasonal norms. French gas and electricty demand usually peaks when cold weather spreads. Electricty has the greatest demand as the majority of heating systems in nuclear-dependent France use electricity. A recent analyses showed that on Friday peak load electricity prices rose to a high of 101.75 euros per megawatt-hour (MWh) on Tuesday and February baseload prices jumped to the highest level since late November at 58.25 euros. For the french it is definately worth making the effort to compare gas and electricity prices.
    
GERMANY

The German weather office expected the icy high pressure front from northern Russia to last well into next week.This will boost heating and lighting demand from power, gas and oil-based heating systems and increase the cost of industrial manufacturing.Night-time temperatures on Friday are predicted to be below -10 degrees Celsius and daytime temperatures will be between -6 and -11 on Friday, compared with the range of 1 to -7 degrees recorded for Tuesday. The German February base load power rose to the highest since late December at 52.50 euros per MWh on Tuesday. It is a germans household best move to compare gas and electricity prices as prices continue to rise.



United Kingdom

Gas demand in Britain was expected to rise 8 percent above seasonal norms to 359.6 million cubic metres (mcm) on Tuesday, as cold weather boosted demand for gas in British heating systems.The met Office in Britain said that sub-zero temperatures were likely to continue until the end of the week, while milder weather was most likely to return at the weekend.February gas traded at 59.25 pence per therm on Tuesday, the highest since mid-December. British residents could save money if they compare gas and electricity prices and then take action by switching suppliers.

Scandinavia

Energy prices rose on Tuesday as supply margins which were already strained by the cold weather were further tightened by unplanned shutdowns on Swedish nuclear plants."Tomorrow we may only have 60 percent of nuclear capacity in activity, when two weeks ago we had 85 percent available," a trader said. "And this is happening at a time when the weather is cold."

A Thomson Reuters company, said that "Continental European was expected to remain cold and dry over the first days of the next week but later in the week conditions were forecast to turn slowly milder, meteorologists at Point Carbon."

There is no doubt that consummers could save money cols weather or not if only they took the time to compare gas and electricity prices!