How your gas is measured
Your gas meter records the amount of gas used at your property. Gas meters are read by our meter readers every two months. This reading is sent to your retailer who bills you on this usage figure.
How it impacts your gas bill
If meter readers can’t safely access your gas meter, they can’t send an accurate read to your gas retailer. Your retailer will then estimate how much gas you’ve used instead.
This can impact your bill in two ways:
- The estimated reading may be higher than your usage so you your bill might be higher.
- The estimated reading is lower than your actual usage. When your meter is read again, you’ll be charged for any difference between the bills and your usage for that billing period.
This is often when people experience ‘bill shock’ with a bill that is significantly higher than previous bills without any obvious change in usage behaviour.
If you have changed your gas usage - especially if it’s cold - or if you’re using less gas, an estimated reading won’t reflect this.
How can you manage this?
1. Provide safe and clear access to your gas meter during your scheduled read date
You can find the date of your next gas meter reading on your gas bill. Most gas meters are outside, usually on the corner of your house, with easy access and adequate ventilation.
During the meter read period, please make sure that:
- all pets are restrained
- there is no thick vegetation or insects covering or blocking the meter
- there are no locked gates preventing access to your meter
- there is no temporary construction or landscaping blocking access to your meter
- there are no obstructions, such as skip bins or earthworks, blocking your meter.
