Causes of High Electricity Bills in Thai Apartments

[paahlman]

Most aircons today are controlled by app on your phone. There there is often electricity usage stats. And if you really want to know. Install a 150 baht zigbee or WiFi electric plug that it connects to. Same for water heaters. They show live usage. Daily weekly or monthly or yearly. In the app. 

[NoshowJones]

On 10/8/2024 at 2:17 PM, KannikaP said:

This certainly is NOT in Inverter unit.

See my conversation with GG regarding EER. 3.33 per watt is pretty dismal.

There are NEW TCL 12000 BTU inverters on Lazada tomorrow for less than Bht 8000. Get one.

A bit off topic but I bought a TCL TV a few years ago and it did not last for much more than a year. So I would be wary of buying any TCL product. 

I have always done well with electrical products ie still have the same fridge freezer in the kitchen that I bought when I bought my house about 19 years ago, second washing machine, second shower unit.

[KannikaP]

47 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

A bit off topic but I bought a TCL TV a few years ago and it did not last for much more than a year. So I would be wary of buying any TCL product. 

I have always done well with electrical products ie still have the same fridge freezer in the kitchen that I bought when I bought my house about 19 years ago, second washing machine, second shower unit.

[KannikaP]

Just now, KannikaP said:

Fingers crossed, just bought a TCL 32 as my PC monitor. Brilliant picture. Let's see if it lasts. 

[KannikaP]

5 hours ago, paahlman said:

Install a 150 baht zigbee or WiFi electric plug that it connects to. Same for water heaters.

Aren't air cons and showers supposed to be connected directly to fuse box, via a double pole switch? Not plugged into a Bht 150 socket.

I have a unit fitted into my fuse box which indicates overall consumption via Tuya App.

[node]

Unless you get this guy stuff, living here or anywhere else that's carries 220v, one would be guessing what really is pulling the energy.

I bought David stuff back on 2018 from Korea, and it will tell you what applicants are pulling the energy. Be it a Dryer, AC, a Fan, Iron, Electric stove, Oven, or someone stealing energy from you, etc, thereby, limiting there use to keep your energy bill down.

Also, I have found out from the Electric Company, how they calculate their monthly bill here, this too is very helpful. 

 

He has a YouTube video, and is a very very honest person.

 

htt**://mywatt.biz/

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

Fingers crossed, just bought a TCL 32 as my PC monitor. Brilliant picture. Let's see if it lasts. 

Only a one year warranty from BigC. Let me know if it lasts.

[paahlman]

21 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Aren't air cons and showers supposed to be connected directly to fuse box, via a double pole switch? Not plugged into a Bht 150 socket.

I have a unit fitted into my fuse box which indicates overall consumption via Tuya App.

Aircons are correctly like you say installed directly to the main breaker. One for each. The eletricity calculation is from the app that belongs to the Airconditioner brand. most do this now. When it comes to other stuff you want to control Fridges.. hot water heaters.. Know the spec and install for example a 150 baht like you say zigbee or wifi outlet of 16 amps. That will cover up to 3680 watt or around that range. That give you hot water metering. There are other ways to do it also of course.

 

You can do that with an old airconditioner too. If it has alot of BTU and requires alot of amps. Go for maybe a 20 amp wifi or zigbee or even passive outlet without any app control. Its worth mentioning not all people like to check any app so these meters comes with screen directly on them also. 

Worth adding that this gives you no more cheaper bills, but it makes you maybe understand what the culprits are.

[LALes]

On 10/8/2024 at 2:03 PM, black tabby12345 said:

Specifications of  the A/C in my room.

Has been used since Nov.2005.

It was already here when I checked in.

 

Thai texts into English with google translate.

 

Any comments from the electrical experts Welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

Both AC units in my condo are from 2004, too!  Both still crank out the cool pretty good.  I am in no hurry to 

buy "new" units.  These old soldiers will have to be dead and buried before I do that.  I only spent 2,500 baht apiece in repairs over 17 years!  New ones can't touch that.

[Nemises]

On 10/4/2024 at 3:18 PM, black tabby12345 said:

My energy saving tip:

1-Always use A/C it at 28 degrees Celsius 

 

28??!!  No thanks. Most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set to around 20 degrees Celsius for the most comfortable sleep. 

[pattayasan]

4 minutes ago, Nemises said:

28??!!  No thanks. Most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set to around 20 degrees Celsius for the most comfortable sleep. 

 

That's freezing. I set mine at 29. AI estimates between 6 and 10% increase in power consumption per degree decrease in temperature on the thermostat. For a 10,000 btu inverter aircon.

[Nemises]

39 minutes ago, pattayasan said:

I set mine at 29.

Livin’ the dream 😭

[quake]

56 minutes ago, pattayasan said:

 

That's freezing. I set mine at 29. AI estimates between 6 and 10% increase in power consumption per degree decrease in temperature on the thermostat. For a 10,000 btu inverter aircon.

 Yes same me at our house.

28 in the front room , 27 in the bed room, i do still use a fan in both rooms.

 

One thing to note.

Last year I had two LG duel inverters fitted to my condo.

bedroom set at 27 fine. But front room set at 28, i was standing on the balcony 

and realized the unit was cycling ( that will gobble up the electric )

I  found I had to have it set at 27 max, to get it to run correctly.

 

 

 

 

[scubascuba3]

22 hours ago, LALes said:

Both AC units in my condo are from 2004, too!  Both still crank out the cool pretty good.  I am in no hurry to 

buy "new" units.  These old soldiers will have to be dead and buried before I do that.  I only spent 2,500 baht apiece in repairs over 17 years!  New ones can't touch that.

Usually noisy especially outside compressor, new ones are whisper quiet 

[scubascuba3]

1 hour ago, Nemises said:

 

28??!!  No thanks. Most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set to around 20 degrees Celsius for the most comfortable sleep. 

At 20⁰ you'd need a duvet to keep warm, seems a bit silly, mine is set at 27⁰ but moves between 25 and 26.5

[Nemises]

14 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

At 20⁰ you'd need a duvet to keep warm, seems a bit silly,

So most doctors are “a bit silly”.
Go it 👍 

 

 

The best room temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 20 degrees Celsius)for the most comfortable sleep.

 

www.sleepfoundation.org

 

 

 

 

 

[Ralf001]

12 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

At 20⁰ you'd need a duvet to keep warm, seems a bit silly, mine is set at 27⁰ but moves between 25 and 26.5

 

I roll at 26 and use a duvet !

[scubascuba3]

2 hours ago, Nemises said:

So most doctors are “a bit silly”.
Go it 👍 

 

 

The best room temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 20 degrees Celsius)for the most comfortable sleep.

 

www.sleepfoundation.org

 

 

 

 

 

How thick is your duvet? i sleep fine at 25-26.5.

 

When i lived in Scotland i slept with two 13 tog duvets it was so cold, i slept well though

[thailand49]

Majority of rentals is paid for my the complex normal run is 7 baht for electricity and 20 baht for water.  You sign the lease don't ask don't care that is on the renter after don't complain and use the excuse they get it for so and so!

 

Majority of the A/C or Frigs are not up to date  turn them on during visit to see how they run and how much noise they make if bad look for another unit same with showers, sinks, etc..  I flip up the panel to check the screen if it is cleaned frig are the same plug it in look inside condition gives you a good hint of maintenance of the place.

 

I never paid too much attention to those meter sticker reading!  Thailand, I take little for granted no real consumer advocates to check if that sticker in fact is for real!😂

 

I don't pay a lot of attention to all the stats stuff I'm just aware of my habits.  I rented a place for months years my bill for electric ran around 500-600 baht rarely ran the A/C and I cleaned it myself resort staff once a year came and clean and service it.  One month the bill was 1500,  I reported it, the maintenance guy came and checked out the meter tested it and it was replaced, managed adjusted the bill.  This meters not from the PEA,  are cheap dime a dozen hardware store.

 

[Chivas]

I'm on PEA tariff of apparently 0.3972 a unit according to Bill

 

I've just had one and its certainly accurate as meter reading was done on 18th October (as a new rental)

 

The bill was just 118 Baht....I will say right away I wasnt there every day because I was still making use of an AIRBNB that I was contracted to for all of October

 

However allowing for time not spent there I reckon Electric wont run more than 900 a Month and thats with 2 Samsung Airconditioners albeit not on together or for long nights either and washing machine

 

Be interesting to see bill start of December

[arick]

I can't really comment it because I've been I've been in Asean  jail.

You're not allowed to contemplate or complain about any journalists on this website or they'll put you in jail. They send threatening post and tell you that you're not allowed to post anything unless you acknowledge the real hard work of their journalist which is all b******* this website is a s***

[Sydebolle]

The most often reason is the sheer greed of landlords massively inflating electricity bills to their benefit. While a unit is 4 Baht, the top I've heard of in an apartment on Sukhumvit Soi 71 was a staggering 25 Baht. Go figure - you're welcome! 

Clarify that question before signing a lease; get the electricity bill straight from the provider, in Bangkok it is MEA, the rest of the land it is PEA! 

[Sydebolle]

The most often reason is the sheer greed of landlords massively inflating electricity bills to their benefit. While a unit is 4 Baht, the top I've heard of in an apartment on Sukhumvit Soi 71 was a staggering 25 Baht. Go figure - you're welcome! 

Clarify that question before signing a lease; get the electricity bill straight from the provider, in Bangkok it is MEA, the rest of the land it is PEA! 

[Jonathan Swift]

Don't know if this will help, but I think your rate is in standard (X) per kilowatt hour. I looked at my bill and it stated baht per "unit", and I believe that unit is the kilowatt hour. When I checked mine it wasn't very much higher than the rates in the US. I also believe that under Thai law landlords are not supposed to charge more than the government rate, but if they did charge the lower rate  they would try to make it up with a higher rent or some other fees. Lastly, When I run my AC I set the thermostat at 30º and use my fans, and that's fine. I only run it long enough to make the fans more effective. 

[arick]

I don't understand this article at all it kind of seems back to front it plummets to 900 should that not be the original paragraph I don't understand whoever put this on

[Elkski]

8 can't believe you people can be comfortable or sleep at 27 or 30c.    No wonder you moved to Thailand.  

I need 25c minimum in summer when I'm paying 350 baht/day for electricity.   Winter we set heater to 18 lovely sleeping under blankets and next to warm wife.  

 

I can't believe he netizens didn't ask if the gal had a corner apartment or wear facing.  Also an important factor is occupancy on all sides.  If uninhabited units next to you and no air-conditioning on your are going to have a much higher heat load.  Recall for thermodynamics that heat flow is a delta t to the 4 the power thing. . (T1*4th-T2*4th)

 

And roof top floors would be much more. 

[Dogbarker]

 Just my take on this having owned and rented out condos in Thailand for 20+ years .  When renting check type and age of air con and if you are paying MEA or PEA rates (depending on the region/;area) or owner or juristic . If the owner allows you can use their apps and pay or as I allowed my tenants to take their pea slips to pay.  Older aircons can still be fairly efficient if serviced but obviously more  power hungry than your latest of course but do not discount them totally , perhaps  the rent  is adjusted accordingly for you to use an old style and pay a bit more electricity than rent ?  Some pretty hefty York aircons cooling 100sqm  is better than trying to  get a 9600 inverter to do the same as I have found in one place I went to buy. They got a modern cheap air con from Big C but did not understand what they were trying to cool with it . Size matters! Haha sorry should not laugh at my own jokes.

 Importantly use a fan to circulate that nice cold air and when sleeping do not use that continental quite you brought from the UK or similar with a tog 13 ... Yep I had a tenant who said he could get cold enough at night ... I explained why .. his bills went down when he realized!! 

  Happy meter readings.

[SiSePuede419]

A cheap ass French guy rented me a 2br, 2 bath villa with only a tiny ass air conditioner and two fans in each bedroom.  We had it set on 18 but it was too weak to cool the whole villa. I complained but he was a rude French guy who said just turn on the fan.  In the hot season?  Go <deleted> yourself you cheese eating surrender monkey.  No way was one tiny AC big enough for an entire villa.  What a cheap <deleted>.

 

Wasn't even his villa.  We got the phone number of the lady who owns the land. We will rent a villa from the Thai lady next time for less money and use the same pool.  Will be great to see Frenchie and give him the old American one finger salute from the pool next year, if I don't find a better dump. 😅

[thailand49]

When renting apartment/condo  one has very little opportunity to check anything. As article noted renting the owner isn't going to change the A/C 

 

As it is common for owners to add their own rate 5-10 if not more it is important to for renters to ask majority of time bill isn't coming direct. 

 

When renting years ago I walked in check the place, water, frig, turn on A/C utilities was 7 baht for Electric 20 for water.  My Bill was like 500 a month E, average months later jump to 1500 same pattern of usages notified manager found the meter was defective. These meters put in to units aren't from the government can purchased at general hardware store quality isn't the same.

[NedR69]

Our electric bill is usually just over 6k THB Nov-Feb, and about 10k THB the other eight months.

 

3bed/2bath pool villa.

2 aircons set to 26 deg and running 24/7/365

3rd aircon set to 23 deg and running 12 hours daily

4th aircon set to 26 deg and running 12 hours daily

 

The pool pump has a high electricity usage, probably about one-third of total bill

 

Aircons cleaned every 6 months

All aircons are a "5" for energy efficiency 

 

Front of villa faces West.

No shade trees.