There are three ways to provide an actual meter reading.

Telephone
Call our automated service on 08456 093 030. When prompted provide your name, address, customer number and meter reading. Lines are open 24 hours a day.

Email
Please send your name, address, customer number and meter reading to meter.reading@nie.co.uk.

Website
Click here to 'Submit a Meter Reading' via the website.

Your electricity meter

Northern Ireland Electricity's Meter Reading department is the common services provider within Northern Ireland. It currently provides meter reading services for all electricity suppliers within Northern Ireland. It is currently required to obtain meter readings from over 700,000 domestic and commercial customers.

Meter reading currently takes place on a quarterly basis for all domestic customers and small commercial customers. Larger commercial customers are read on a monthly basis.

Meter Reading Function

Meter reading can take place on Monday – Friday between 8am and 8pm and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Each Meter Reader is easily identifiable by their NIE uniform (dark trousers, light grey NIE branded polo shirt and NIE branded jacket) and all carry an official NIE identification pass, which shows the holder's photograph and the NIE logo. When NIE has access to electricity meters, customers are assured of accurate meter readings, avoiding estimated bills.

NIE Meter Readers are also equipped with a high tech hand-held computer, which stores information about your meter location, any special reading instructions, safety information about your pets and data on your consumption history. The portable computers can alert the Meter Reader when an incorrect number or higher than usual reading is entered. The information from the handheld computer is later downloaded on to the system and forwarded to the relevant suppliers to enable bills to be produced.

Meter Readers do not have access to individual customer bills and therefore any queries regarding your bills should be referred to your supplier.

Meter Reading Card Policy

It is not always possible to have access to certain meters, therefore NIE continuously introduces measures to increase the number of actual meter readings obtained. One of these measures is our Meter Reading Card Policy. If a Meter Reader calls at a property and is unable to gain access on the first visit and if they are planning to return at a later time, they will leave a blue meter reading card, indicating the approximate time of their return.

If the customer feels that they will not be at home at this time, or if they do not wish to be disturbed, there is an option to note the meter readings and place in a visible spot for the Meter Reader to collect on their return. This facility is used by a large number of customers who wish to receive an accurate bill. The security and safety of our customers is of paramount importance to us and therefore, this option is entirely voluntary and at the discretion of the customer.

If the Meter Reader calls back to the property and is unable to gain access or if the meter reading is not visible, they will leave a yellow meter reading card. This card provides a telephone number you can call to leave your meter reading, providing a further facility to receive an accurate bill.