[header] How to read an electric meter [title] Understand the parts of your analog meter (also known as a dial meter) and how it works. [step] Your electric meter usually has between four and six dials that advance as a central disk turns. The disk is turned by the electricity passing through the meter, giving a readout of how much electricity you are using. 
[substeps] This readout is given in kilowatt hours. One kilowatt hour is equal to the amount of energy it would take to power a 100 watt lightbulb for 10 hours.