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<h1>How To Operate Your Keypad Meter<br>&nbsp;</h1>

How To Operate Your Keypad Meter
 

Operating a keypad meter for Budget Energy NI 

Keypad overview and what the buttons do

  • Keypad meters can display remaining credit, usage costs, unit rates, and meter readings via numbered buttons.
  • Pressing specific keys cycles through information such as credit time left (days), recent costs, total units used (for readings), and standing charges/unit rates.
  • This functionality is common across NI suppliers’ keypads and helps with budgeting and meter reads.

Useful keys:

  • Press 1: Credit time left in days.
  • Press 2: Cost of previous day/week/month.
  • Press 3: Date/time, unit rates, units used.
  • Press 4: Last 5 Top Ups entered.
  • Press 5: Total money entered into the meter.
  • Press 6: Electricity currently being used (kWh).
  • Press 7: Standing charges and unit rates.
  • Press 8: Highest consumption in any half-hour (last 24 hours) and when it occurred.
  • Press 9: Total units used (meter reading).
  • Press 0: Meter test: Display test, time and date.
  • Press \ and #:* Used to enter Top Up codes and to check credit remaining.

 

Top Up and enter your code

Buy a Top Up: 

Purchase a Keypad Top Up using your account details (e.g. Premise Number). You'll receive a numeric code (usually 20 digits) to enter on the meter. 

Top Up Instructions

  • Enter the Top Up code into your Keypad meter.
  • Press * once to display "Key Code".
  • Type all digits of the code carefully. If you mistype, press * to go back.
  • Once you have entered all the numbers, press # to submit.
  • The meter shows "Sending", then confirms the result.

One of the following results will be displayed:

  • ACCEPTED: You will hear a 'happy' tone. The amount topped up will appear, followed by 'Account' and then the total Credit on the meter.
  • REJECTED: You will hear a 'sad' tone followed by one of the fault messages below.
  • DUPLICATE: Vend code has already been entered and accepted previously.
  • INCORRECT: The vend code has been entered incorrectly or is for another property.
  • ERRROR: You have missed a number or entered the vend code too slowly.
  • KBLOCK: The vend code has been entered incorrectly five times in a row.
  • WRONG TAR: The price of electricity has changed, and you must enter the 40 or 60 digit code.
  • CREDIT HI: You have too much Credit on your meter. Wait a few days and try again.
  • TAMPER: Please call us on 0800 012 11 77.
     
     

Check credit, usage, and rates

  • See how long credit lasts: Press 1 to view the estimated number of days of credit based on recent usage, useful for budgeting.
  • Track costs: Press 2 repeatedly to cycle through the cost of the previous day, week, and month, helping you spot patterns and save.
  • View meter reading: Press 9 for total units used. Use this if asked to provide a meter reading or to track your consumption.
  • Check tariffs and charges: Press 7 to display the standing charge and unit rates applicable to your tariff.
     

Emergency and friendly credit

Emergency credit: 

Turning off the low-credit warning sound will automatically apply £5 of emergency credit.

If the warning sound is not turned off, your supply will switch off when the credit runs out. If this happens, simply press any button and your £5 emergency credit will activate after a few seconds.

Friendly credit/time windows: 

Our friendly credit keeps your supply running if your balance runs out during less convenient hours, giving you extra time to top up. This is applied automatically in the following situations:
 

Weekdays: If your credit runs out after 4 pm in winter or 5 pm in summer between Monday and Thursday, your supply will remain on until the next day. 

Weekends: If your credit runs out after 4 pm in winter or 5 pm in summer on a Friday, your supply will stay on until the following Monday. 

Remember: the next time you top up your electricity, any emergency credit or friendly credit you have used will be deducted from your balance.

Meter readings and visits

  • Routine reads: NIE Networks reads meters roughly every three months and may call between specified hours on weekdays and Saturday mornings. These reads are passed to Budget Energy to keep accounts up to date.
  • Self-reads: Submit your reading at any time via this link. Press button 9 to report total units.
  • Economy 7 Meters: Please submit your meter reading at any time by emailing info@budgetenergy.co.uk 
     

Tips and support:

  • Keep codes handy: Store your Premise Number and Top Up receipts until credit appears on the meter, in case you need to verify a payment.
  • Avoid tampering: Never open or alter the meter or wiring. Tampering is dangerous and illegal.
  • Day/Night meters: If you have Economy 7, button functions (especially 3) can show separate unit rates for day/night usage.
  • If credit won't apply: Re-enter the code carefully, check for error messages, then contact Budget Energy support if issues persist.
     
How to Operate Your Keypad Meter