ERT (Utility Meters)
Read smart utility meters
What it does
SimpleYour home's electricity, gas, or water meter sometimes shouts out its reading over the radio so a truck or a nearby collector can read it without anyone walking up to it. This app can hear those shouts and show the meter's ID number and its reading.
The really fun part: your own meter has an ID printed on it, so you can find your house's meter in the list and watch its number tick up as you use power or water.
How it works
SimpleThe meter sends a short burst of on/off blips carrying its ID and how much you've used. It repeats this every little while so a passing reader is sure to catch it. The app listens for the blips, checks a small error-check code, and shows the meter's number and reading.
How to use it, step by step
Simple- Open the 'ERT' app.
- Stand near your utility meter.
- Watch meter IDs and numbers appear.
- Find the ID that's printed on your own meter in the list.
- Use some power or water and watch that number change.
Examples
Match the ID on your electricity meter to a decoded packet, then watch the reading update over a few minutes.
Count how many unique meter IDs you can hear from one spot — often dozens from surrounding homes.
Note the commodity-type field and see the mix of meter kinds broadcasting in your neighbourhood.
Tips & things to try
- ERT is mainly a North-American 900 MHz thing; other regions use different AMR systems (e.g. wM-Bus on 868 MHz).
- Meters beacon periodically — if you don't see yours immediately, wait a minute or move a little closer.
- The consumption count is raw meter units, not always kWh — but watching it climb still shows real usage.