Gas and Electricity Meter Readings in Belgium: How To Do It
Do you need to take the meter reading but you don't know how to do it? In this energy guide the Belgian energy comparator CallMePower explains everything you need to know about the meter reading for gas and electricity.
Why Do You Need To Submit The Meter Readings?
The meter reading serves to measure your annual energy consumption by comparing the current meter reading with the meter reading of the previous year. Based on the meter readings, your energy supplier can determine exactly how much energy you have used.
The meter reading is necessary to be able to draw up an annual statement or final invoice. The amount you pay monthly for energy is only an estimate. If your consumption costs deviate from the actual consumption costs, you will be able to see this on the annual statement or final invoice.
In addition, the actual consumption is used to determine the advance amount for the following year. This prevents you from paying too much or too little each month, which then has to be corrected in the annual statement or final invoice.
See our page about the energy invoices in Belgium for information about all the types of invoices you may receive and their use.
When To Submit The Meter Readings
In general you only need to submit the meter readings once a year. However, there are some situations where the meter readings have to be submitted,for example:
- at the fixed opening month for the annual settlement;
- if you are going to change energy supplier ;
- when moving house;
- if the contracting party of the house changes.
Want to know your possible savings? Use the CallMePower energy comparator to compare all the contracts in Belgium and find out how much you can save on your bills!
Meter Readings Digital Energy Meter
In Flanders, more and more households have a digital energy meter. One of the advantages of this type of energy meter is that the meter readings are automatically passed on to the network operator. So if you have had a digital energy meter installed, it will not be necessary to pass on the meter readings.
The new, digital energy meters even have the option of transmitting the meter readings every 15 minutes. This only applies to consumers who opt for a dynamic energy contract.
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Contact CallMePower to get information or advice on the energy tariffs and suppliers in Belgium. (English- and Spanish-speaking advisors available)
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Let us call you back for information or advice on the energy tariffs and suppliers in Belgium. (English- and Spanish-speaking advisors available)
Who Will Take My Meter Reading?
The meter readings are passed on via the responsible network operator in your region. In some cases you have the choice to submit the meter readings online and in other cases a meter reader from the network operator comes by.
Before the meter readings have to be taken, you will receive a message from the network operator. If it is possible to submit the meter readings online, you will be able to view this here.
The network operators in Belgium are:
- Fluvius in Flanders
- Sibelga in Brussels
- ORES in Walloon Brabant, Est, Hainaut, Luxembourg, Mouscron, Namur and Verviers;
- Resa in Liège
- AIEG in Andenne, Gesves, Ohey, Rumes and Viroinval.
- AIESH in Erquelinnes, Beaumont, Froidchapelle, Sivry-Rance, Mummies, Chimay, Couvin;
- REW in Waver, Limal and Bierges.
How To Recognize The Persons Who Takes The Meter Readings
An employee of the network operator can always be identified. For example, he or she wears a uniform with the Fluvius logo and also carries an official badge. In addition, an official Fluvius car is always driven and nothing is sold / money is never asked for his or her services. If you don't trust it, don't let him or her in.
In the years when no meter reader visits you for the meter reading, you will have to report the meter reading yourself. You will then receive a letter or e-mail from your distribution network operator asking you to complete the meter readings.
Not Present During The Meter Reading
If you are not at home when the meter reader comes by, a note will be left with a new time. If you are also not at home the second time, a letter will be sent with the request to either submit the meter readings online yourself or to make an appointment for the meter reading.
Get advice on energy tariffs in Belgium (Free service)
Contact CallMePower to get information or advice on the energy tariffs and suppliers in Belgium. (English- and Spanish-speaking advisors available)
Get advice on energy tariffs in Belgium (Free service)
Let us call you back for information or advice on the energy tariffs and suppliers in Belgium. (English- and Spanish-speaking advisors available)
How To Read Your Energy Meter
Reading the meter readings is very easy. Whether you have a single electricity meter, a dual electricity meter or an exclusively night meter, the meter readings are always clearly indicated.
The image below explains all the data that you can find on an energy meter.
If you have had a digital meter installed, it is very easy to view the most up-to-date meter readings in Fluvius' online customer zone. In this application you will find all usage data of both your gas and electricity meter.
To use My Fluvius, you will have to create an account and provide the EAN codes of your energy meters. If you request the consumption history for energy meters that are not in your name, permission will first be requested by letter or email from the person whose name is on the contract.