Valda Energy Meter Readings and Smart Meters

How do I submit a meter reading to Valda Energy?

Valda currently asks customers without a smart meter to submit meter readings through the Valda Customer Portal.

Valda’s current process is:

1. 1Log into the Valda Customer Portal.
2. 2Select “Submit a meter reading” on the home page, or open the Usage section and select “View meters”.
3. 3Select the correct meter.
4. 4Enter the meter reading.
5. 5Enter the date the reading was taken.
6. 6Select “Send”.

If you have more than one meter, make sure you select the correct meter before entering the reading.

Can I still submit a meter reading on the old Valda website?

Valda currently says all customers should now submit meter readings through the Customer Portal.

Valda describes the Customer Portal as the current way to upload readings directly to an account.

If you have not created your portal account, use Valda’s current account access process rather than relying on an old meter reading submission route.

How often should I submit a meter reading to Valda?

If you do not have a smart meter, Valda currently recommends submitting a meter reading at least once a month.

Regular actual readings can help Valda calculate bills using the energy your business has used rather than relying on estimates.

How do I know if Valda accepted my meter reading?

Valda says a confirmation pop up appears when a meter reading has been successfully submitted through the Customer Portal.

After a successful submission, you can select OK and submit another reading if you have another meter.

Keep your own evidence of important readings, particularly where:

• A bill is disputed
• You are moving premises
• A large correction is expected
• The meter reading has previously been questioned

A dated meter photograph can also be useful evidence.

What happens if Valda rejects my meter reading?

Valda says that if a reading submission is unsuccessful, the Customer Portal will display a notification asking you to upload a photograph of the meter.

Valda says its team will then review the photograph and update the account.

If you are asked for a photograph, make sure the image clearly shows:

• The meter
• The reading
• The meter serial number where possible

Keep the original photograph yourself. An unsuccessful submission does not automatically mean the reading is wrong.

Why is Valda asking me for a photograph of my meter?

Valda’s current portal process says a meter photograph can be requested when a submitted reading is unsuccessful so its team can review the meter and update the account.

A meter photograph can help establish:

• The physical meter
• The displayed reading
• The meter serial number
• The date evidence where the original photograph is retained

A photograph can be useful evidence but does not automatically prove every part of a billing dispute.

Where can I see my latest Valda meter reading?

Valda says the Customer Portal shows the most recent meter reading and the date it was submitted.

You can also open the relevant meter point to view more information about that supply.

This is useful when comparing what Valda currently holds with:

• The physical meter
• A recent photograph
• The reading on an invoice
• A reading you previously submitted

How do I find my meter in the Valda Customer Portal?

Valda says you can select “Meters & readings” from the portal menu or go to “Usage” and select “View meters”.

All meter points are then displayed in one place.

Valda currently allows the list to be filtered between:

• Electricity meters
• Gas meters

Select the relevant meter to see its detailed information.

What information can I see about my meter in the Valda portal?

Valda currently says each meter point can show the supply address, meter type, charges, contract information, estimated annual usage and latest meter reading.

• Supply address
• Meter type
• Standing charge
• Unit rate or rates
• Contract start date
• Contract length
• Estimated annual usage
• Most recent meter reading
• Date of most recent reading

This makes the meter point screen useful for checking both meter and contract information. Do not assume the portal information itself resolves a dispute if it conflicts with other evidence.

What if I have more than one Valda meter?

Valda’s Customer Portal allows customers with multiple meters to select the individual meter they want to view or submit a reading for.

When submitting a reading, use the meter dropdown to select the correct meter.

Before sending the reading, check:

• Supply address
• Fuel type
• Meter information
• Reading
• Reading date

This is particularly important for businesses with:

• Multiple premises
• Several meters at one site
• Both gas and electricity
• Multiple electricity supplies

Do not submit a reading against a meter simply because it appears under the same business account.

Do I need to submit meter readings if I have a Valda smart meter?

Valda currently says no. Its published guidance says customers with a smart meter do not need to submit readings manually because the smart meter automatically sends readings to Valda.

That is Valda’s stated process for smart meters.

If your account is nevertheless showing estimated readings, missing usage data or a reading that appears out of date, check the account rather than assuming the latest smart reading has been received correctly.

Does a Valda smart meter send readings automatically?

Yes. Valda’s current guidance says its smart meters automatically send readings to Valda, removing the need for customers to submit readings manually.

Valda says this allows bills to be based on actual usage.

If the bill nevertheless shows an estimated reading, check:

• Reading type
• Reading date
• Latest portal reading
• Meter serial number
• Whether recent invoices repeatedly contain estimates

If necessary, ask Valda to confirm what reading data it currently holds for the meter.

Can I see my Valda smart meter usage online?

Yes. Valda says customers with a smart meter can view energy usage through the Customer Portal.

Valda currently allows smart meter usage to be viewed by:

• Day
• Week
• Month
• Year

Customers can use the usage section to identify patterns and compare consumption over time.

Can I download my Valda smart meter usage?

Yes. Valda currently says smart meter usage data can be exported from the Customer Portal as a CSV spreadsheet or sent to the customer’s email address.

Valda says customers can select a preferred timeframe and data type when exporting usage. Examples given by Valda include:

• Half hourly
• Daily
• Monthly

Available data intervals depend on the meter and account.

Why can’t I see energy usage in my Valda portal?

Valda currently says that customers without a smart meter will not see energy usage data in the portal’s Usage section.

Valda says smart meter customers can view usage by different time periods.

If you believe you have a smart meter but expected usage information is missing, contact Valda to check the meter and account position.

Can I see Valda smart meter usage in pounds?

Valda’s Customer Portal allows smart meter usage to be viewed in either kWh or pounds.

Use the invoice when checking what Valda has actually billed.

What if my Valda bill is based on an estimated meter reading?

If you do not have a smart meter and the physical meter differs from Valda’s estimate, submit an up to date reading through the Customer Portal.

Valda’s invoice guide currently uses:

If several bills have been estimated, an eventual actual reading can result in a correction to the account. Do not assume the correction is automatically correct.

Check:

• Meter serial number
• Previous readings
• New reading
• Reading dates
• Consumption
• Rates
• Billing period

What do E and C mean next to a Valda meter reading?

Valda says E means Estimated Reading, C means Customer Reading and no letter after the reading means Actual Reading.

These codes can help identify how the consumption on an invoice was calculated.

What if the meter reading on my Valda bill is wrong?

Compare the billed reading with the physical meter and check that the meter serial number on the invoice matches the meter at the premises.

Gather:

• Current meter reading
• Dated meter photograph
• Meter serial number
• Previous reading
• Reading date
• Invoice
• Any portal submission confirmation

Then identify the exact reading you believe is wrong. Do not simply dispute the total bill without identifying the underlying issue where possible.

What if Valda is billing the wrong meter?

Compare the meter serial number shown on the invoice and portal with the serial number on the physical meter.

Also check:

• Supply address
• MPAN for electricity
• MPRN for gas
• Fuel type
• Meter location
• Any other meters at the site

The meter serial number identifies the physical meter. The MPAN or MPRN identifies the supply point. They are not the same thing.

Is my meter serial number the same as my MPAN?

No. The meter serial number identifies the physical electricity meter, while the MPAN identifies the electricity supply point.

A physical meter can be replaced while the supply point continues to exist.

When investigating a meter problem, check both the meter and supply information rather than treating the two numbers as interchangeable.

Is my gas meter serial number the same as my MPRN?

No. The gas meter serial number identifies the physical gas meter, while the MPRN identifies the gas supply point.

Both can be useful when checking whether the correct gas meter is attached to the correct business energy account.

What meter reading should I take when moving into a Valda supplied property?

If you have a traditional non smart meter, Valda currently requires an opening reading when you move into premises it supplies.

Valda says the opening reading helps it produce an accurate first bill. Take the reading when your business becomes responsible for the premises.

Where possible keep:

• Opening reading
• Reading date
• Clear meter photograph
• Meter serial number
• Occupancy evidence

Valda currently says customers with a smart meter do not need to provide the opening read because Valda will take it directly.

What meter reading should I take when moving out of a Valda supplied property?

For a traditional non smart meter, Valda currently asks for a closing reading on the day the contract ends so it can produce the final bill.

Valda says that if a closing read is not supplied, the final bill may use estimated readings or Valda may ask for a meter photograph.

Keep:

• Closing reading
• Reading date
• Meter photograph
• Meter serial number
• Move out evidence

Valda currently says customers with a smart meter do not need to provide the closing read because Valda will take it directly.

Can a meter reading cause a large catch up bill?

Yes. If earlier bills used estimated readings and a later reading shows that more energy was actually used, the account can require a billing correction.

However, do not assume a large catch up bill is automatically correct. Check:

• Opening reading
• Previous estimates
• Actual reading
• Meter serial number
• Consumption calculation
• Billing period
• Rates applied during each period
• Contract dates
• Responsibility dates

For eligible microbusiness customers, historic billing can also raise separate backbilling questions depending on the circumstances.

What if my Valda meter reading looks impossible?

Do not guess or alter the reading to make it fit. Photograph the meter and compare its serial number and display with the information held on the Valda account.

Then check:

• Whether the correct meter has been selected
• Whether there are multiple registers
• Whether the previous reading belongs to the same meter
• Whether the meter has been replaced
• Whether the bill is using an estimate

If the reading submission is rejected, follow Valda’s portal process and provide the requested meter photograph.

What if my electricity meter has more than one register?

Some business electricity meters record more than one reading, so make sure you identify the relevant registers rather than treating every meter as a single rate meter.

Depending on the meter and tariff, a bill may contain rates such as:

• Day
• Night
• Off peak
• Weekday
• Evening or weekend

Compare the meter registers with the way the readings and rates are shown on the Valda invoice. Do not combine registers unless the meter or supplier instructions require it.

Can The Best Energy Rates check a Valda meter problem?

Yes. Send us your Valda bill and, where possible, a current photograph of the meter and we can help compare the physical meter information with the account and invoice.

Useful evidence includes:

• Complete Valda bill
• Current reading
• Dated meter photograph
• Meter serial number
• Previous readings
• MPAN or MPRN
• Contract information
• Move in or move out date where relevant

We can help identify whether the issue appears to involve:

• Meter readings
• Estimated consumption
• Meter identity
• Rates
• Contract position
• Change of Tenancy
• Historic billing

We cannot diagnose a technical meter fault from an invoice alone.

Valda Energy Meter Reading and Smart Meter FAQs

Official Valda sources

• How to use the meter read function on the Customer Portal
• Submit a meter read
• How to view my meter points on the Customer Portal
• Valda Customer Portal guide
• How to read usage data
• How to read a Valda invoice
• Moving in to a Valda supplied property
• Moving out of a Valda supplied property
• Contact Valda Energy