So we've been living (well, camping is more the word since we don't have a working kitchen yet) since the end of September and have just received our second electricity bill. The first one was over 2,000 baht which seemed high but the one I opened today is 3,200 which is a major surprise given what I expected.

I believe that a unit is a Kwh as in the UK and so working out the theoretical consumption of things like lights, boiler, aircon and the computer should be straightforward (rated watts x hours used/1000 - correct me if I'm wrong, please) but the following seem less so:

Energy saving lights on dimmers

Low voltage lights on dimmers

Water pumps - is there a power penalty when they start up or can I just make an estimate of the total running time per day?

All those exterior ones are LEDs. No, really.

Energy saving lights on dimmers

Low voltage lights on dimmers

Water pumps - is there a power penalty when they start up or can I just make an estimate of the total running time per day?

-energy saving lights can't be dimmed,

-low voltage saving lights use more electric energy due to the transformers conversion loss,

-dimmers do not save any electricity except for the "phase-shifting" ones which, to the best of my knowledge, are not available in Thailand,

-power penalties at start-ups belong to the Grimm brothers collection of fairy tales.

thanks for not listening :jap:

I believe that a unit is a...

British / Aussie layman's expression of 1 kWh

If you're interested in saving money, it's a one step plan:

1. Turn off the air conditioners.

The rest is inconsequential in comparison, though you mention you have a boiler, which can be a significant power drain as well.

Also:

- ALL modern dimmers use Triacs (or IGBTs) with phase angle control, I haven seen a rheostat in ages.

- It's not the voltage, it's the wattage that counts. A 240V 10W lamp uses exactly the same amount of power as a 12V 10W one. And yes, add a little bit for power conversion losses, and less efficient wiring.

- You can dim -certain- energy saving lights, but TL based ones need special dimmers. LED lights you can always just dim.

- Pumps (and lights as well) do have a significant extra drain at start up, though that time is so short that it will hardly register on your meter.

Make a list of all major appliances, their name plate power (W) rating and the total hours operated daily. Add in a lump sum for household lighting and miscellaneous stuff, a food blender operating for 10 minutes doesn't amount to anything. Calculate your total kWh and compare with the electric bill. If your house is fully air conditioned, it can add up. I'd be surprised if the kWh meter was wrong.

3200 sounds good to me, mine is usually around the 10,000 mark

Are you on permanent power yet?

Your construction supply is charged at nearly double the permanent rate

Energy saving lights on dimmers

Low voltage lights on dimmers

Water pumps - is there a power penalty when they start up or can I just make an estimate of the total running time per day?

-energy saving lights can't be dimmed,

-low voltage saving lights use more electric energy due to the transformers conversion loss,

-dimmers do not save any electricity except for the "phase-shifting" ones which, to the best of my knowledge, are not available in Thailand,

-power penalties at start-ups belong to the Grimm brothers collection of fairy tales.

thanks for not listening :jap:

Can't dim Energy Saving bulbs? I guess someone took me for a ride when I bought 16 of these then....

Seem to work fine but if your assertion about dimmers is accurate I guess I should be counting these in at 26W each. Good to hear that the pumps don't use extra power when they kick in - the one one that has been short cycling is just reducing its life expectancy rather than driving up my bill.

No a/c and no cooking so they're out of the equation.

Are you on permanent power yet?

Your construction supply is charged at nearly double the permanent rate

Beat me to it. OP, contact supplier to ensure your on consumer tariff.

Madjbs - 10k a month? Are you serious? You must be running a theme park or something!

Crossy - You've solved it (as usual!). We asked them to take us off the temporary supply almost two months ago and signed all the paperwork but it does look as if they are charging us double the going rate.

Thanks to all who replied with useful information. I think I'll do a proper energy audit anyway.