Meter Reader
The Equation for Energy
A residential electric meter measures how much energy you use in a term of measurement called Kilowatt Hours (kWh).
The equation for energy is:
It's often abbreviated like this:
E = P x T
The units of the equation are:
kilowatt-hours(Energy) = kilowatts(Power) x hours(Time)
or kWh = kW x hr
Reading Your Electric Meter
Notice that some of the dial hands on the meter above turn "clockwise" and some turn "counter-clockwise." Look at the first dial, it is turning "clockwise," and the hand is between the 7 and the 8. Record the number that the hand just passed - (in this case it is 7).
The second dial is turning "counter-clockwise" and is just past the 3, so that is the next number to write down and so on.
Look at the dial to the right of the dial being "read." If the hand on the right has moved past "zero," write down the number the hand on the left is pointing to - (using the same dials, it would be the 7).
If the hand on the right is not past "zero", then write down the next lowest number on the dial being read. In picture above, the meter reads "73256".
How to Calculate the Cost of the Energy You Use
Your electrcity bill will only tell you how much electricity you use in one month.
To determine the number of kilowatt-hours used in one day, read your meter at the same time tomorrow, and then subtract tomorrow's reading from the one you take today.
Now, To calculate the cost of the energy you used, multiply the number of
kilowatt-hours by the cost per kilowatt-hour charged by your electric
utility. Take a look at your electric bill and see if you can find your
"cost per kilowatt-hour."
Hint: In Ontario the average cost for power
is $0.10 per kilowatt-hour.
