Don’t have a smart meter that automatically sends your energy usage?
Then you might need to submit your meter readings yourself every now and then. No worries: it’s easier than you think.
On this page, we’ll guide you step by step on how to read your electricity and gas meters, when to do it, and how to check what type of meter you have. That way, you’ll always send us the right info. Quick and hassle-free.
When do I need to submit my meter readings?
Do you have a smart meter? Then you usually don’t have to submit your readings yourself. We can read them remotely
You can find the most recent readings (used as the starting point for your contract or yearly billing period) in the vrijopnaam app.
If you have a meter without remote reading, you’ll automatically receive a request by email and in the app when it’s time to send your readings. You’ll need to submit your readings when:
- your grid operator or energy supplier asks for them (for example, for your annual statement or when you move)
- you’re switching to a different energy supplier (you submit your readings to your new supplier, and they pass them on to your old one)
- you’re moving in or out of a home
- your smart meter isn’t readable for a while (due to a malfunction or if remote reading is turned off)
Make sure to submit your readings within the requested timeframe. That way, your invoice will be accurate.
How do I know if I have a smart or conventional meter?
A smart meter is a digital meter that automatically sends your usage data to the grid operator. These meters usually have a display with buttons and switch between readings automatically.
A conventional meter (also called analog) has mechanical dials or rotating numbers and no digital display. You need to read it manually.
Not sure what kind of meter you have? Check if there’s a button and if the numbers appear on a screen. If yes, you’ve got a smart (digital) meter.
Where can I find my meters?
Your electricity and gas meters are usually in the meter cupboard, often located in the hallway or near the front door. You only need to submit the readings for electricity (kWh) and gas (m³).
You can ignore the water meter: that’s handled by a different supplier. Water meters are often round, while electricity and gas meters are usually square or rectangular.
Reading your electricity meter (kWh)
Your electricity usage is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh).
There are different types of electricity meters: digital or analog, with a single or dual register.
- Single-rate meter: shows your total electricity usage
- Dual-rate meter: shows separate usage for day and night (normal and off-peak rate)
Depending on your meter type, you might see one of the following labels indicating electricity usage (or solar production if you're producing solar power):
- 1.8.1 and 1.8.2 (daytime and off-peak usage)
- Day and night / peak and off-peak
- High and low tariff
Let us know if you’re unsure which number to fill in. We’re happy to help via email.
Digital electricity meter
With a digital meter, you press a button to view the meter readings on the screen. For example:
These numbers usually mean:
- 1.8.1 = off-peak usage: 8 kWh
- 1.8.2 = peak usage: 64 kWh
✏️ Write down only the numbers before the decimal point, and use the same label as shown on your screen.
Heads up: sometimes you’ll also see 2.8.1 and 2.8.2 — those are the readings for solar power you’ve sent back to the grid:
- 2.8.1 = solar return during off-peak hours
- 2.8.2 = solar return during peak hours
Analog electricity meter
With a single analog (conventional) meter, you only need to read one register. For example:
Just write down that one electricity reading. In this case:
58550 kWh
With a dual analog meter, you'll need to submit two readings:
- Night (moon symbol): 2597 kWh
- Day (sun symbol): 19854 kWh
✏️ Only write down the numbers before the decimal point, usually shown in black boxes. Ignore the number in the red box.
Reading your gas meter (m³)
A gas meter measures your gas usage in cubic meters (m³). There’s always one register. Just like electricity meters, gas meters can be analog or digital.
When noting down your gas reading, make sure to only write the numbers before the decimal point. Sometimes the decimal point isn’t visible. In that case, the digits after the decimal are usually shown in a red box, and you can ignore those.
Digital gas meter
On a digital gas meter, the reading appears on the screen.
You can ignore anything after the decimal point or shown in a red box.
Here’s an example of what a digital gas meter might look like:
In this case, there’s no visible decimal point, but the digits in the red box are the ones after the decimal. So the correct reading here is: 524 m³.
Analog gas meter
Here too, you only read the numbers before the decimal point.
Is the dial between two numbers? Then always go with the higher number.
Example: 6081 m³
All digits shown in the red box are the ones after the decimal. You can ignore those.
Need help?
Not sure about your meter readings or need a hand reading your meter? Feel free to reach out!
You can call us on 085 - 30 32 652. We’re available on weekdays between 9:00 and 17:00.
Prefer to write? You can always send us an email.
Do you have a conventional (analog) meter and would like to switch to a smart meter?
Then contact your grid operator to request one. You’ll find the contact details of your regional operator at vrijopnaam.nl/netbeheerders.
Smart questions about meter readings
Read all questionsPlease note: if you have a so-called smart meter, the meter readings will be read remotely, unless you have indicated to your grid operator that you do not agree to this. We forward the readings that your smart meter specifies to your old supplier when you become a customer at Vrijopnaam. These will then be the closing readings on the final bill from your old energy supplier. Besides, they will be used by Vrijopnaam as the initial readings
If you do not have a smart meter (yet), we would like to receive the meter readings for electricity and natural gas. It is possible that there are two counters per meter: one for normal consumption and one for off-peak consumption. In that case, you will have to submit them both to us. You only will have to submit the readings before the comma.
Send us a photo of the meter readings via klantteam@vrijopnaam.nl or WhatsApp (085-30 32 652).
We ask for your meter readings on the moment when you become our customer and then every year to prepare the annual statement.
If you have a smart meter, we receive your meter readings automatically via the network operator
The Vrijopnaam app is available as a web application. This new technology ensures that you always have insight via the app. On any device.
How does it work?
- Type in vrijopnaam.app in your internet browser.
- Put the url shortcut on your home screen and you're done!
How it's done on iOS devices
How it's done on Android devices
You can chat or call 085 - 30 32 652 on working days between 9am and 5pm. You can always send us an e-mail!