Understand Your Bill
Understanding your meter
Get to know your electric meter, read your consumption, and find the details on your bill.
Read your meterYour meter and your bill
Your meter reading is the basis of your monthly Meralco bill. Your home’s electric meter continuously records your electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and is read monthly by our meter reader for us to determine your bill amount. Here’s how to read your own meter.
How to read your meter
For Electronic Meters:
Simply read the number on the digital display to get your Current Reading.
| Current Reading | 3,456 |
| Less Previous Reading | 3,144 |
| Total kWh used | 312 |
For Electromechanical Meters:
Electromechanical meters have four (or five) dials that move in opposite directions* to record your electricity consumption. To get your Current Reading, record the smaller number each pointer just passed.
| Current Reading | 4,987 |
| Less Previous Reading | 4,756 |
| Total kWh used | 231 |
*For meters with four dials, Dials A and C move counter-clockwise, while Dials B and D move in a clockwise direction.
*For meters with five dials, Dials A, C and E move clockwise, while Dials B and D move in a counter-clockwise direction.
Find your meter details
Where can I find information on meter reading in my bill?
The details of your meter reading can be seen at the upper left corner of the bill, under the "Your Electric Bill" section.
A. Meter Reading Schedule
The date your meter was read for the current billing period, as well as the schedule for next month, can be found in this section.
B. Electric Meter Number
This identifies your meter and is also reflected in the bill.
You can find the meter number on your electric meter. In the example below, the meter number is 118BAS078899. Before reading your meter, verify that the meter number matches the meter number shown on your bill to ensure you are reading the correct meter.
C. Current Reading
This indicates the meter reading on your scheduled monthly meter reading date. In the illustration below, the recorded meter reading is 3,055.
D. Previous Reading
This indicates your meter reading from the previous month. In the illustration below, the previous meter reading is 2,855.
E. Actual Consumption
This indicates your registered kWh consumption for the month. It is the difference between your current reading (in this case, 3,055) and your previous reading (in this case, 2,855). In the illustration below, the consumption is 200kWh.
Helpful Information
Our meter readers are trained to accurately read your meters
They also use tools such as binoculars and digital cameras to help them capture the reading of meters installed in inaccessible or elevated places.
Here to help
Need help with your electric meter?
If you have a question about your meter reading or the information on your bill, Meralco can help you find the next step.
Get meter support Find a business center