How to Read Your VECO Meter (Analog and Digital)
Want to check your own consumption between bills? Here’s how to read both meter types VECO uses, and how to turn a reading into an estimated cost.
2 typesanalog dial meters and digital display meters
kWhthe unit both meter types measure in
2 readingsneeded to calculate consumption over a period
Reading an Analog Meter
Analog meters display consumption through a series of small dial faces, each one showing a digit. Read each dial left to right — if a pointer sits between two numbers, always record the lower number. Line the digits up in order to get your full reading in kWh.
Reading a Digital Meter
Digital meters simply display your cumulative consumption as a number on a screen — no dials to interpret. Some models cycle through multiple values (like current demand or time-of-use readings); the total kWh figure is what you want for a basic consumption check.
Turning a Reading Into an Estimate
1
Record today’s reading
Write down the current total kWh shown on your meter.
2
Compare to a previous reading
Use your last bill’s reading, or one you recorded yourself a few days earlier.
3
Subtract to get consumption
The difference between the two readings is your kWh consumption for that period.
Worked example
Say your meter read 15,420 kWh on the 1st of the month and 15,610 kWh on the 15th. That’s 15,610 − 15,420 = 190 kWh used in two weeks. At the May 2026 residential rate of ₱12.88/kWh, that’s roughly 190 × ₱12.88 ≈ ₱2,447 in generation-and-distribution cost so far — before taxes and other charges are added. If that’s already close to half of last month’s full bill, it’s worth checking what’s driving it before the cycle ends.
This gives you an estimate, not your exact bill — taxes, subsidies, and other charges are applied on top of the basic generation and distribution cost. It’s still useful for spotting a usage spike early, before the next bill arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does my analog meter show numbers between dials?+
When a dial pointer sits between two digits, always read it as the lower number — this is the standard convention for analog utility meters.
2. Can I check my consumption without waiting for the bill?+
Yes — read your meter directly, or check consumption history through the MobileAP app if you’re registered.
3. What unit does the meter measure in?+
Kilowatt-hours (kWh), the standard unit for electricity consumption used across all Philippine utility bills.
4. My digital meter shows multiple numbers — which one do I use?+
Look for the cumulative total consumption value in kWh — some digital meters cycle through additional readings like demand or time-of-use data.
5. Is my manual estimate going to match my actual bill exactly?+
Not exactly — it’s a close estimate of the generation and distribution cost, while your actual bill also includes taxes and other regulated charges.
Get a full cost estimate
Use this month’s confirmed rate to turn your reading into a peso amount.
Check Current VECO Rate
