A check-meter is a regular kilowatt-hour meter installed to measure electrical usage of one particular piece of equipment. Power suppliers or equipment dealers sometimes supply them where there are questions or considerable interest in how much electricity a specific piece of equipment uses. The check meter may be used over a period of several days, months, or years. This provides a precise measure of the number of kilowatt-hours used during a given measuring period.

1. Note and record the meter reading at the beginning of the check period.
2. Determine the length of time needed between meter readings to gain the desired information.
3. Note and record the meter reading at the end of the check period.
4. Calculate total kilowatt-hours of energy used by subtracting the beginning reading from the final reading.