Complete Guide to LESCO Meter Reading in 2025
As a LESCO consumer in Lahore, understanding how to read your electricity meter is crucial for verifying bills, tracking consumption, and identifying potential issues. With LESCO introducing new digital and smart meters in 2025, many consumers are confused about how to check their units correctly.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through reading all types of LESCO meters (analog, digital, and smart), understanding your bill, detecting faulty meters, and using LESCO's online services to monitor your consumption.
What You'll Learn
1. Types of LESCO Meters in 2025
LESCO (Lahore Electric Supply Company) currently uses three main types of electricity meters across Lahore and its surrounding areas:
Analog (Electromechanical) Meters
The traditional meter with rotating disc and mechanical counters. Still common in older residential areas of Lahore.
- Identifiable by spinning aluminum disc
- Has 4-6 mechanical dials showing numbers
- No digital display or buttons
- Requires manual reading by LESCO staff
Digital Meters
Electronic meters with LCD display that show consumption in kWh. Becoming standard in most Lahore households.
- Have digital display showing numbers
- May have buttons to cycle through displays
- Some models show additional data like voltage
- Can be read manually by consumer
Smart Meters
Advanced meters being rolled out in 2025 that automatically send readings to LESCO and provide real-time data.
- Two-way communication with LESCO
- Real-time consumption monitoring
- Remote connect/disconnect capability
- Time-of-use data recording
- Available in select areas of Lahore
2. How to Read Analog (Electromechanical) Meters
Reading an old-style analog meter requires understanding the dial display. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Important: Always stand directly in front of the meter to avoid parallax errors when reading the dials.
Step-by-Step Reading Guide
- Locate the dials - Typically 4-6 dials labeled from right to left
- Read the dials from right to left - Each dial represents a digit in your reading
- Note the direction of each dial - Alternate dials rotate clockwise/counter-clockwise
- Record the number the pointer has just passed - Not the number it's approaching
- If the pointer is between numbers - Record the lower number (except when between 0-9, record 9)
- Combine all numbers - This gives your current meter reading in kWh
Common Mistake: Many consumers misread when the pointer is exactly on a number. If it's directly on a number, check the dial to the right - if it's passed 0, record the current number, otherwise record the previous number.
3. How to Read Digital Meters
Digital meters are simpler to read but may have multiple displays. Here's how to read them correctly:
Standard Digital Meter Reading
- Locate the LCD display - Usually shows 5-7 digits
- Read the numbers from left to right
- Ignore red numbers or numbers after decimal point - Only whole kWh numbers are used for billing
- Record all digits shown - This is your current reading in kWh
Note: Some digital meters cycle through different displays automatically. Wait for the display showing "kWh" or the highest number sequence.
Advanced Digital Meter Features
Many newer LESCO digital meters can display additional information:
- Voltage - Shows current voltage supply (V)
- Current - Displays current amperage (A)
- Power factor - Indicates efficiency of power usage
- Time-of-use data - Some meters show consumption during peak/off-peak hours
Press the button on the meter (if available) to cycle through different displays.
8. LESCO Online Meter Reading Services
LESCO offers several digital services to help consumers monitor their electricity usage:
LESCO Online Portal
Available at lesco.gov.pk, you can:
- View current and historical meter readings
- Check consumption patterns
- Download past bills
- Submit meter reading complaints
Registration required: You'll need your 14-digit LESCO account number.
LESCO Mobile App
Available for Android and iOS, the official app allows:
- Real-time consumption monitoring (for smart meters)
- Bill payment
- Outage reporting
- Meter reading submission
SMS Services
Send your 14-digit account number to 8119 to receive:
- Current meter reading
- Bill amount
- Due date
- Outage information
Final Thoughts
Understanding how to read your LESCO meter empowers you to verify bills, track consumption, and identify potential issues early. With the transition to digital and smart meters in 2025, Lahore consumers now have more tools than ever to monitor their electricity usage.
For easiest monitoring, we recommend registering for LESCO's online services or using our LESCO Consumption Tracker which helps visualize your usage patterns and predict future bills.
LESCO Meter Reading FAQs
How often does LESCO read my meter?
LESCO aims to read meters monthly, but in practice, readings may occur every 1-3 months. For unread meters, bills are estimated based on past consumption. You can submit self-readings via the LESCO app or customer service.
What should I do if my meter stops working?
Contact LESCO immediately at 118 or your local complaint center. Signs of a faulty meter include: no display (digital), stopped disc (analog), or abnormal consumption patterns. Never attempt to repair the meter yourself.
Can I request a meter replacement or upgrade?
Yes, you can apply for meter replacement (if faulty) or upgrade to digital/smart meter through the LESCO customer portal. Fees apply for upgrades. Smart meters are currently being rolled out in phases across Lahore.
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