Am I Paying Too Much For Electricity ?

[janitor]

Probably a question to electricians out here, but every input is welcome.

Three storey townhouse, family of three, one aircon 18,000 BTU running

most of the time (like 80% of time), few computers, LCD TV 42" (5-10%),

small fridge, etc. Is it normal that have electricity bills at ~7,000 baht ?

I have tried to understand how bills are calculated, but there are some

extra factors that simply escapes my understanding.

Some examples:

May - 1881 kW - 7,157.44 baht

June - 1723 kW - 6,540.67 baht

July - 1914 kW - 7,286.24 baht

Thank you for any helpful answers.

[Geekfreaklover]

Probably a question to electricians out here, but every input is welcome.

Three storey townhouse, family of three, one aircon 18,000 BTU running

most of the time (like 80% of time), few computers, LCD TV 42" (5-10%),

small fridge, etc. Is it normal that have electricity bills at ~7,000 baht ?

I have tried to understand how bills are calculated, but there are some

extra factors that simply escapes my understanding.

Some examples:

May - 1881 kW - 7,157.44 baht

June - 1723 kW - 6,540.67 baht

July - 1914 kW - 7,286.24 baht

Thank you for any helpful answers.

It is normally the air that eats up the power. How old is the air-conditioning unit?

we've just moved into a new townhouse and run about the same amount of machines as yourself - but the bill has shot up to about 3.5k, from half what we were paying before with two air con units.

So, the obvious question is does your energy come straight from the mains, or is it tapped up by a rental company?

Also can anyone tell me if their is any truth to the idea that old air condition units cost more to run than new ones?

[lopburi3]

The amounts paid seem correct for the usage. Disconnect everything and make sure your meter is not turning (to be sure someone has not taped in). Air conditioner if set for low temp and having to stay on all the time can use a lot of electric. But suspect most townhouse residents are in the 3,000 baht range. I have five bedroom home with 10 people and 5 refrigeratiors and 5 air conditioners (but only one 9k unit normally running full time) and pay only about 1,000 baht more.

[lopburi3]

Yes old, and expecially cheap, units are a lot less efficient than newer air conditioning units. A guide is found on the sticker that they have all had to display for that last 10 years or so. Also a six month cleaning can help to keep them efficient. As can setting a bit warmer.

The number 5 (most are that now) is not as important for comparison as the annual costs figures on the stickers now.

Edited August 12, 2009 by lopburi3

[gdhm]

I would say the usage seem about correct (be it a little high).

My family has a 2 storey house and we use 2 8mth old air cons at night only (usually). One is 12000 btu cools to 26C the other 18000 btu cools to 23C) we got through about 1020 units in each of the months you mention. I keep daily records and can vouch for a large increase in daily units when I ever have the 18000 on most of the day.

A year ago I lived in a rental which had an old (looked old and a it was a ceiling version with a corded "semi remote" control living room aircon. we barely used it as it burnt electrical units like there was no tomorrow.

However we have 2 fridges and one freezer and several TV but only one PC. I would have expected (if you have not underestimated your electrical appliance usage that you would have been a few 100 units lower than you report each month.

If your air con is on most of the time and actually cooling to 23C as I do on one of mine (but only to 26 on the other) or lower most of the time then it would burn up units. If the unit is undersized for what it is trying to cope with then that would make it work hard as well.

The amount of units an air con (even new) gets through can be amazingly high compared to other items. The other day my units usage rose by 10 for 2 days. I immediately suspected greater use of one of our air cons at night and yes our stepsons had been accidentally changed to dry mode and form 26C to 22C.

Heavy use of PC switch on most of the day can consume a lot of units as well.

Older aircons are much more expensive to run. It may sound stupid to ask but do you regularly clean you air con filter mesh(s). They can get clogged with dust in only a few weeks (especially if on most of the time) and the aircon's efficiency is much reduced AND will cause the air con to burn up electricity as it cannot cool the room as well but will keep trying flat out to get the temperature to the nominated level.

I agree with the suggestion to switch off the power and see if the meter wheel is still turning. If you switch off the air con only and look at the wheel I expect you will see a large reduction in its speed as well. If not then something else is more draining than you have though of.

I have noted that increasing the air temp up one or 2 degrees can make a big daily difference too.

Do you use much lighting and if so, are they the energy saving or incandescent ones. It all adds up quickly.

I feel your usage is a little higher (not not greatly) than I would expect if I was only using what you say. However I do not know how good at heat insulation your building compared to ours. Also your usage may depend on how much of the day you are at home. With 80% usage of your aircon, I would assume somebody(ies) are home much of every day and how many live in your house.

We have only 3 (one being a 6 yr old at school most of the day)

Re your PCs (several?). Are they and their printers, scanners etc and their monitors on many hours a day? Do the monitors and PCs go into energy saving standby mode if keyboard not used after a while.

We have only 3 (one being a 6 yr old at school most of the day)

There are so many variable and no two households' insulation, cooling needs, electrical items or usage are identical

Hope this helps

[janitor]

The aircon unit is "Number 5" few years old Daikin. We had Daikin service

couple of months ago doing full service (cleanup, disassembly, etc.), but

it does not looks like it helped much.

I am hacking up together now energy meter (sort of) Current Sensor ->

MCU -> RS485 to TCP/IP to collect data to PC, and look for some patterns.

Maybe that will help.

I do remember that there is some factor which is being applied arbitrarily

to calculate amout to be paid. Never was able to figure how it works, but

from what I understand Electrical Authority can (and do) apply that

multiplier quite liberally, based on "fuzzy" logic rather than any formula.

[trogers]

How old is the 18,000 BTU air-con? What size of room (and ceiling height) is it set to cool?

[janitor]

Guys, thanks a lot for helpful replies.

@ trogers - not sure, but I think more than 5 years.

Room is ~ 6m x 5m x 2.5m. Temp setting is set to

28 C during the daytime, and 26 C in the night (but,

I think may be sensor reading error as the unit is

fixed to the window (south) wall). Also there are

shades in windows so no direct sunlight in the room.

[katabeachbum]

Probably a question to electricians out here, but every input is welcome.

Three storey townhouse, family of three, one aircon 18,000 BTU running

most of the time (like 80% of time), few computers, LCD TV 42" (5-10%),

small fridge, etc. Is it normal that have electricity bills at ~7,000 baht ?

I have tried to understand how bills are calculated, but there are some

extra factors that simply escapes my understanding.

Some examples:

May - 1881 kW - 7,157.44 baht

June - 1723 kW - 6,540.67 baht

July - 1914 kW - 7,286.24 baht

Thank you for any helpful answers.

Your unit price seems ok. If you want to know how much for your aircon, buy a 30 amp meter (350 baht) and connect on electricity cabel for aircon. I guess its like 1400 kwh at 5500 baht a month.

[trogers]

Guys, thanks a lot for helpful replies.

@ trogers - not sure, but I think more than 5 years.

Room is ~ 6m x 5m x 2.5m. Temp setting is set to

28 C during the daytime, and 26 C in the night (but,

I think may be sensor reading error as the unit is

fixed to the window (south) wall). Also there are

shades in windows so no direct sunlight in the room.

To achieve 26C in the day would probably require at least 20,000 BTU. But since you are setting it to 28C, it should be okay.

Only thing to watch out - are the windows sealed well against wind penetration? The old timber casements or glass louvres are not suitable for air-con rooms. And make sure door to the room is closed.

If the said room is a living and dining area and opened to a staircase or some adjoining space, then cool air will migrate and more BTU will be required.

[katabeachbum]

There is an informative Phuket-thread on how PEA calculates kwh price.

[longball53098]

The electric rates are pretty close to 3.50 baht per unit (1 unit is 1Kwh). That has been consistent for me in 3 years of watching my meters spin at 3 different locations. It may vary a few baht from month to month but the average is 3.5. This includes the fuel adjustment surcharges.

[Pib]

Here in Bangkok, the electricity provider is the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and their current electricity/tariff rate which can be viewed/downloaded at: http://www.mea.or.th/internet/neweng/ElectricRate.pdf. See paragraph/tariff 1.2 (normal residential rate). But for usage of around 2000 KWH/month and considering the energy fuel cost factor which currently adds another 0.9255 Baht to each KWH used, a small service fee, and the 7% VAT, when the dust settles you pay 4.07 Baht per KWH used.

Edited August 12, 2009 by Pib

[elkangorito]

Oh god! I hope this isn't the start of another "Am I paying too much for electricity?" thread.

It's very simple.

The OP has no idea about anything & does seem to be able to read his/her electricity bill. On the other hand, if the OP is asking about what particular appliances use how much electricity, different answers can be given.

According to the information the OP has supplied, his/her electricity bill is normal.

[janitor]

Oh god! I hope this isn't the start of another "Am I paying too much for electricity?" thread.

It's very simple.

The OP has no idea about anything & does seem to be able to read his/her electricity bill. On the other hand, if the OP is asking about what particular appliances use how much electricity, different answers can be given.

According to the information the OP has supplied, his/her electricity bill is normal.

It must be heavy on you being so competent.

Relax, you did well. Go get life...

[janitor]

I would like to express my gratitude to everybody, who contributed

to this thread, for the abundance of the factual information provided.

Thank you.

[metisdead]

I been living in a rather big house in the 'burbs of BKK for 9 years, don't use the air conditioners very often, and if I/we do, it is in the evenings or in the bedroom sleeping. My electricity bill has never exceeded 2000B. You pay for what you use. I have a colleague living a big house in another mooban who use the air conditioners much more than me and their electricity bill is about what you are paying. You pay for what you use. I repeat myself.

[longball53098]

I have said this on one of the other numerous threads related to cost of electricity. If you want to know how much you should be paying based on you're use then you need to do a little work. A simple spread sheet either using paper and pencil or the PC will get you what you want. You need to do this religiously. Start by logging the meter reading of you're meter and do this every day at the same time. Do it for at least a full month but more is better. You should also keep notes of what appliances you were using that day as a help to see spikes in the higher readings. This does not take a huge effort but it does take some work.

I did this on a daily basis for 3 years on two different houses. For the days I missed due to laziness or being gone I can estimate as by the time a month goes by you have a good idea what is normal based on the appliances used that day.

It is pretty clear that electric rates here in LOS for the PEA in rural areas is about 3.5 baht per unit and in BKK it's about 4.0 per unit. So now you are armed with enough info to figure what you think you're usage and invoice should be based on you're meter. Now as stated earlier if someone is tapped into you're meter then you will have bogus figures as this is not what you used. So you need to take this one step further and shut off the input to you're house and see if the meter continues to spin and verify that no one else is "stealing" you're power. It would also be good to look at the specs for all the major/minor appliances in the place and get a good estimate of the power they use and you should have a good idea of what units you will use in an hour/day/week/month.

There are hundreds of web sites dedicated to how to figure out electric usage for any and all appliances in the home.

If you really are concerned about the usage in you're place you will need to do a little work and burn some watts of you're own.