Electric Bills During The Hot Season

[PoodMaiDai]

I've been in Thailand a long time but this is the first time I've had this happen with my electric. I'm staying in a temp apartment here in Chiang Mai (unfortunately paying their 7b rate), and even though we have done nothing different, our electric bill was 6000b.

We run 1 aircon for exactly 6 hours while we sleep. We cook a few times a day. We have a water heater in the bathroom for hot showers. We have a small refrigerator. We are doing no more or no less than what we do every month.

The water bill is the same, but the usage and cost went from 1000b and some change to 6000b and some change, yet we have done nothing different. I spoke to the owners today (Chinese-Thai) and as expected they didn't even want to hear a word I was saying, not even looking at me while I was trying to show them past bills and usage information. I may as well have been trying to have a conversation with a door. After about 20 minutes of pushing, they finally agreed to have someone clean the aircon but insisted the hike was because "the aircon work more" and that was that. We're not using it more, we use it the same and only when we sleep. My gut instinct tells me they don't want clean aircons as they profit on the electric. It is in their best interest to have tenets use as much power as possible and not fix problems such as this.

My friend says his bills have not changed at all and he lives in another building not too far from mine. Last month was the same as this month for him and his usage was the same.

Is there anything else in the room I should be looking for as possible reasons for such a spike, or could the aircon filter be so filthy from the burning that it really is overworking this much?

[ShopBoy]

time to change apartment seriously

what's your usualy bill look like before 6000 ?

[PoodMaiDai]

time to change apartment seriously

what's your usualy bill look like before 6000 ?

We've only been here for a few months. Usually it's 1000b - 1200b. You can imagine my absolute shock at a 6000b bill.

In the past (other places) I've encountered issues such as faulty water heaters, refrigerators, misread meters, neighbors stealing electric, and so on. But I can't find anything here other than the possibility of a dirty aircon filter.

[hellodolly]

Sounds like the air con needs a serious cleaning and perhaps recharging of the gas or what ever it is they put in the out side unit. We had ours cleaned and they checked every thing cleaned the screens and took a hose to the out side part of the unit.

The worst we ever paid was about 4,000 baht two years ago. We ran the air con almost steady I would say a average of twenty hours as some times I just stay home.

I thought it was high and talked to the manager and he agreed to have the meter checked. Apparently there is a government department that does that. Every thing was OK. Are bills are high any how I run two machines every night while I sleep the wife can sit in front of the TV for hours while she runs here sewing machine.

The worst bill I ever had including rent was a lot less than one I had back in Canada when I ran the central air con. So I don't complain.

With what you had to pay I would think there is some thing defiantly wrong with the air con and possibly the meter. I have heard that it cost less than 600 baht to have professionals come in and clean the machine at what you are paying you might want to consider shelling the money out your self. I believe Siam Electronics on the south side of the moat does that. One other thing did he raise the price per unit and say nothing about it to you?

Edited April 28, 2012 by hellodolly

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Your meter doesn't lie. Does it agree with you that there is nothing different, or did it notice that an airconditioner works harder going from 34 degrees down to 24 than it does going from 28 down to same?

6000 is of course really a lot for the modest electrical use you describe, but the key remains in the actual usage, and the price per unit.

[ShopBoy]

my standard bill is about 1000 due to FT charges my bill had been 1800 for the past 2 month still less down double

[PoodMaiDai]

Your meter doesn't lie. Does it agree with you that there is nothing different, or did it notice that an airconditioner works harder going from 34 degrees down to 24 than it does going from 28 down to same?

6000 is of course really a lot for the modest electrical use you describe, but the key remains in the actual usage, and the price per unit.

The actual real life usage is the same, but the meter is showing a lot more. That is what leads me to believe something is faulty (or dirty) somewhere. 6 hours of aircon every month before vs 6 hours of aircon now, shouldn't cost 5000b more. But the meter is showing more units are somehow being used, while there is no increase in real life usage. Given the heat we're having right now, can't wait until the next bill comes. :-(

The aircon runs on low, always. Just enough to keep the room cool, but not cold. In fact, we always also run a fan in the bedroom because the aircon isn't that cold.

[PoodMaiDai]

Sounds like the air con needs a serious cleaning and perhaps recharging of the gas or what ever it is they put in the out side unit. We had ours cleaned and they checked every thing cleaned the screens and took a hose to the out side part of the unit.

The worst we ever paid was about 4,000 baht two years ago. We ran the air con almost steady I would say a average of twenty hours as some times I just stay home.

I thought it was high and talked to the manager and he agreed to have the meter checked. Apparently there is a government department that does that. Every thing was OK. Are bills are high any how I run two machines every night while I sleep the wife can sit in front of the TV for hours while she runs here sewing machine.

The worst bill I ever had including rent was a lot less than one I had back in Canada when I ran the central air con. So I don't complain.

With what you had to pay I would think there is some thing defiantly wrong with the air con and possibly the meter. I have heard that it cost less than 600 baht to have professionals come in and clean the machine at what you are paying you might want to consider shelling the money out your self. I believe Siam Electronics on the south side of the moat does that. One other thing did he raise the price per unit and say nothing about it to you?

The most I've paid in the past was about 4000 as well, and that was for running 2 aircons, 24/7, during a very hot and humid period.

We have a 2nd aircon here in the living room (where I'm typing this) and I'm not about to turn it on, even though I want to. I'd probably pass out if they gave me a 10,000b bill for next month for using two aircons.

[hellodolly]

Sounds like the air con needs a serious cleaning and perhaps recharging of the gas or what ever it is they put in the out side unit. We had ours cleaned and they checked every thing cleaned the screens and took a hose to the out side part of the unit.

The worst we ever paid was about 4,000 baht two years ago. We ran the air con almost steady I would say a average of twenty hours as some times I just stay home.

I thought it was high and talked to the manager and he agreed to have the meter checked. Apparently there is a government department that does that. Every thing was OK. Are bills are high any how I run two machines every night while I sleep the wife can sit in front of the TV for hours while she runs here sewing machine.

The worst bill I ever had including rent was a lot less than one I had back in Canada when I ran the central air con. So I don't complain.

With what you had to pay I would think there is some thing defiantly wrong with the air con and possibly the meter. I have heard that it cost less than 600 baht to have professionals come in and clean the machine at what you are paying you might want to consider shelling the money out your self. I believe Siam Electronics on the south side of the moat does that. One other thing did he raise the price per unit and say nothing about it to you?

The most I've paid in the past was about 4000 as well, and that was for running 2 aircons, 24/7, during a very hot and humid period.

We have a 2nd aircon here in the living room (where I'm typing this) and I'm not about to turn it on, even though I want to. I'd probably pass out if they gave me a 10,000b bill for next month for using two aircons.

Contact the power company they will come and check your meter, There is defiantly some thing wrong.

[ShopBoy]

Sounds like the air con needs a serious cleaning and perhaps recharging of the gas or what ever it is they put in the out side unit. We had ours cleaned and they checked every thing cleaned the screens and took a hose to the out side part of the unit.

The worst we ever paid was about 4,000 baht two years ago. We ran the air con almost steady I would say a average of twenty hours as some times I just stay home.

I thought it was high and talked to the manager and he agreed to have the meter checked. Apparently there is a government department that does that. Every thing was OK. Are bills are high any how I run two machines every night while I sleep the wife can sit in front of the TV for hours while she runs here sewing machine.

The worst bill I ever had including rent was a lot less than one I had back in Canada when I ran the central air con. So I don't complain.

With what you had to pay I would think there is some thing defiantly wrong with the air con and possibly the meter. I have heard that it cost less than 600 baht to have professionals come in and clean the machine at what you are paying you might want to consider shelling the money out your self. I believe Siam Electronics on the south side of the moat does that. One other thing did he raise the price per unit and say nothing about it to you?

The most I've paid in the past was about 4000 as well, and that was for running 2 aircons, 24/7, during a very hot and humid period.

We have a 2nd aircon here in the living room (where I'm typing this) and I'm not about to turn it on, even though I want to. I'd probably pass out if they gave me a 10,000b bill for next month for using two aircons.

Contact the power company they will come and check your meter, There is defiantly some thing wrong.

can't they is only 1 meter going into his block of condo where it spilts into each individual room meter which is under the care of the condo owner

[CMSteve]

A 6x increase is virtually impossible. It is possible that the meter is faulty. Do you have access to the meter for you apartment? Take a look and see first if the owners reading is correct and second is to see if it is working correctly.

1. Try turning everything off . - is the meter still going?

2. run just the aircon - meter moving normally?

3. find the next most draining appliance you have(hot water heater or microwave) Run both aircon and heater/microwave at the same time and see if the meter stops, jumps or starts buzzing. If it does any of the three, tell the owner that their meter is faulty and should be replaced or offer to buy own yourself (~250B).

[prism]

Somebody must be tapping into your meter. It happened to me before. I'd get an electricion to check it out.

[onthedarkside]

A few years ago a mate of mine had this happen. Turned out to be partial short in an outside light fittings. Not enough to trip the breaker but was pulling about 10 amps.

[JeffreyMcCollum]

Air conditioners don't suddenly become dirty. So this does not explain the sudden increase one month to the next and 6x increse a dirty aircon could not do that.

my 159 sq.m home is insulated and with air conditioners running and cooking and multi hot showers, TV's etc. my bill is just a few hundred a month

[NancyL]

We've been here almost four years and track our expenses pretty closely. There is a huge difference in electric bills during the year, with the ones in the hot season (now) being about four or even five times what they are in the cool season. The first year we had the same shock and disbelief as the OP and did everything recommended here -- had the meter checked, aircon cleaned, etc. Now we've lived in three different places and have had the same usage pattern in all three places.

That being said, it's a good idea to clean your aircon filters monthly and have them professionally serviced just before the start of the aircon season.

It's simple thermodynamics really. The aircon works much harder to maintain your comfort when the outside temp is 42 vs. 28. The aircon is a huge consumer of electricity, along with anything that generates heat like hot water heaters, irons, cooking appliances. Appliances like TVs, fans and computers don't use very much.

[lukeskywalker]

I have a electricity monitor that is wireless and reads out current usage, and keeps a log so I can see weekly and monthly and the total costs. Our bill jumped from 2300B last month to 3900B. But we have been using the aircon a lot more, and, the air cons that we have are terrible consumers of electricity. They are big nasty YORK air cons and I wish I could replace them with something like my old Daiken inverter. That thing was great! Bill never above 1500B and kept the temp nice and even. This Yorks wait until its sweltering before they kick on, then do not turn off until its ice cold. Sucks...

What is this monitor? Sounds really cool. I can't imagine how it works, especially wirelessly! Can you tell me the brand name and model, I'll research it online. I'm intrigued. How much and where did you buy it?

OP....something is most definitely wrong....how do you know your units went up? Is it a hand written bill from the owner? Don't forget, we did just have an 8% increase in per unit costs, but that doesn't come close to your problem. Cleaning the a/c will have a minimal effect (but should be done). And even if an aircon is on 24/7, it's really only when the compressor is running that it is pulling any real electricity, when the compressor isn't running, it's just acting as a fan. So, it is possible either your compressor isn't shutting off (you can normally hear and feel it kick on and off) or the thermostat (which tells the compressor to turn on or off) are broke.

[Mekong Bob]

I have a electricity monitor that is wireless and reads out current usage, and keeps a log so I can see weekly and monthly and the total costs. Our bill jumped from 2300B last month to 3900B. But we have been using the aircon a lot more, and, the air cons that we have are terrible consumers of electricity. They are big nasty YORK air cons and I wish I could replace them with something like my old Daiken inverter. That thing was great! Bill never above 1500B and kept the temp nice and even. This Yorks wait until its sweltering before they kick on, then do not turn off until its ice cold. Sucks...

VIBE,

Can this meter measure power consumption on an individual unit - for example, a water heater?

[Semper]

What is this monitor? Sounds really cool. I can't imagine how it works,

And you're not alone.

[vacationman]

One of the first things I do when I move to a new condo, apartment or house is to TEST to see how much the AC is going to cost me.

Simply check your meter and write down the number. Go turn your AC on for 60 minutes. Write down the new reading. Subtract the New reading with the First reading and this will give you the units per hour to run your AC. Then mulitply the max number of hours that you plan on using the AC each month and this will give you your cost.

Done this a number of times BEFORE I rented a place. Simply tell them I want to test the AC for 15 minutes to make sure it works properly before I rent.

One place we rented on Chang Klan Road we really liked but the cost of AC would have been 17,000 baht per month, due to the unit being so large and so OLD.

[Naam]

Air conditioners don't suddenly become dirty. So this does not explain the sudden increase one month to the next and 6x increse a dirty aircon could not do that.

my 159 sq.m home is insulated and with air conditioners running and cooking and multi hot showers, TV's etc. my bill is just a few hundred a month

that might be true if the aironditioners are not running in cooling mode. if you claim they do i will answer "please don't insult our intelligence!" that's my diplomatic rebuttal.

here's what i actually think:

"i wonder whether forum rules permit postings which are meant to outright bullshit fellow TV-members who are looking for advice."

Edited April 29, 2012 by Naam

[Naam]

What is this monitor? Sounds really cool. I can't imagine how it works,

And you're not alone.

and neither is the wireless monitor alone because to monitor energy usage a transmitter, attached to the individual line, is required which measures running amps and transmits the values to the monitor.

[eyecatcher]

I used to have a consumption meter also, a great gadget,, that told me i was spending 50p (uk) a week just having my tv on standby every night.

It encouraged me to unplug every day.

also you could see how little the fridge uses.

As for the hike in your lekky bill, it stinks. I fully agree there could be something untoward going on. I have lived in 2 different apartments since i have been here, and both buildings had the communal "out of bounds" meter cupboard; but every month I made a point of asking the staff to escort me to the cupboard to check the reading.

I run 4 aircon units here, like you one is on all night, electric showers and a washing machine on almost every day, and more 50w spots that I can believe.. My highest monthly bill was around 1850bt.

Just try to read the power consumption on the side of the air con unit, if its not there, type the model number into google. Mine for example is max 1900w when in cooling mode. so i see my unit costing say 16kw a night (if working hard on turbo with swing fan!!)

so if was paying 7bt/kw thats about 110bt per night.... (or 14bt an hour)

Whenever someone has a problem with a meter reading/bill thats usually the catalyst to starting making a regular weekly habit of checking.

[Naam]

I run 4 aircon units here, like you one is on all night, electric showers and a washing machine on almost every day, and more 50w spots that I can believe.. My highest monthly bill was around 1850bt.

Just try to read the power consumption on the side of the air con unit, if its not there, type the model number into google. Mine for example is max 1900w when in cooling mode. so i see my unit costing say 16kw a night (if working hard on turbo with swing fan!!)

so if was paying 7bt/kw thats about 110bt per night.... (or 14bt an hour)

indeed an "eyecatching" statement. four aircons running, one all night using about 110 Baht a night, lighting, most probably a fridge, water heater and washing machine but the highest monthly bill was 1,850 Baht.

whom are you trying to bullshit my good man?

[hellodolly]

Sounds like the air con needs a serious cleaning and perhaps recharging of the gas or what ever it is they put in the out side unit. We had ours cleaned and they checked every thing cleaned the screens and took a hose to the out side part of the unit.

The worst we ever paid was about 4,000 baht two years ago. We ran the air con almost steady I would say a average of twenty hours as some times I just stay home.

I thought it was high and talked to the manager and he agreed to have the meter checked. Apparently there is a government department that does that. Every thing was OK. Are bills are high any how I run two machines every night while I sleep the wife can sit in front of the TV for hours while she runs here sewing machine.

The worst bill I ever had including rent was a lot less than one I had back in Canada when I ran the central air con. So I don't complain.

With what you had to pay I would think there is some thing defiantly wrong with the air con and possibly the meter. I have heard that it cost less than 600 baht to have professionals come in and clean the machine at what you are paying you might want to consider shelling the money out your self. I believe Siam Electronics on the south side of the moat does that. One other thing did he raise the price per unit and say nothing about it to you?

The most I've paid in the past was about 4000 as well, and that was for running 2 aircons, 24/7, during a very hot and humid period.

We have a 2nd aircon here in the living room (where I'm typing this) and I'm not about to turn it on, even though I want to. I'd probably pass out if they gave me a 10,000b bill for next month for using two aircons.

Contact the power company they will come and check your meter, There is defiantly some thing wrong.

can't they is only 1 meter going into his block of condo where it spilts into each individual room meter which is under the care of the condo owner

Not living in the same building I did not know this. The building I live in has a meter for every room and when I was working through my concerns with the manager they came out and checked every meter on the floor I am on. I would like to mention the manager was not trying to avoid the issue and glad to work with me on it. He cleans the air conditioner every time I have asked him to. The in room unit screens I clean myself as they are easy to remove and rinse.

[Naam]

Whenever someone has a problem with a meter reading/bill

then he/she should check first their ability to apply basic arithmetics and have the results checked by somebody who has this ability.

[hellodolly]

We've been here almost four years and track our expenses pretty closely. There is a huge difference in electric bills during the year, with the ones in the hot season (now) being about four or even five times what they are in the cool season. The first year we had the same shock and disbelief as the OP and did everything recommended here -- had the meter checked, aircon cleaned, etc. Now we've lived in three different places and have had the same usage pattern in all three places.

That being said, it's a good idea to clean your aircon filters monthly and have them professionally serviced just before the start of the aircon season.

It's simple thermodynamics really. The aircon works much harder to maintain your comfort when the outside temp is 42 vs. 28. The aircon is a huge consumer of electricity, along with anything that generates heat like hot water heaters, irons, cooking appliances. Appliances like TVs, fans and computers don't use very much.

Another cost saving idea is check your light bulbs florescent bulbs cost a lot to turn off and on but not munch to run so leave them on. Incandescence bulbs cost little to turn on and off butt a lot to run so turn them off. Turning the TV or other similar appliance off by remote still lets them drain power shut them off with the on off switch on the appliance it's self.

I know these things will not amount to a lot but they do help. Of course the use of lights at this time of year will decrease.

And none of them come close to explaining the OPs problem

[uptheos]

can't they is only 1 meter going into his block of condo where it spilts into each individual room meter which is under the care of the condo owner

Maybe the condo owner needs checking!

[eyecatcher]

I run 4 aircon units here, like you one is on all night, electric showers and a washing machine on almost every day, and more 50w spots that I can believe.. My highest monthly bill was around 1850bt.

Just try to read the power consumption on the side of the air con unit, if its not there, type the model number into google. Mine for example is max 1900w when in cooling mode. so i see my unit costing say 16kw a night (if working hard on turbo with swing fan!!)

so if was paying 7bt/kw thats about 110bt per night.... (or 14bt an hour)

indeed an "eyecatching" statement. four aircons running, one all night using about 110 Baht a night, lighting, most probably a fridge, water heater and washing machine but the highest monthly bill was 1,850 Baht.

whom are you trying to bullshit my good man?

I didnt say i was running 4 aircons on turbo charge all night, just read and absorb my comments.

I am using a 2kw aircon as an example for the OP to assess what her maximum nightly usage is likely to cost. And 2kw is an average bedroom size unit.

Anyway, I like to save costs and prefer to open the window

[Naam]

I didnt say i was running 4 aircons on turbo charge all night, just read and absorb my comments.

I am using a 2kw aircon as an example for the OP to assess what her maximum nightly usage is likely to cost. And 2kw is an average bedroom size unit.

Anyway, I like to save costs and prefer to open the window

this is what you said and that's what justifies to be called not only bullshit but bullshit² !

I run 4 aircon units here, like you one is on all night, electric showers and a washing machine on almost every day, and more 50w spots that I can believe.

now make up your mind. are you running 4 aircons or do you open the windows?

[ARISTIDE]

Recently in the news regarding a Thai lady, her electricity bill was more than 400,000 baht

It was a mistake and I guess you should contact the power company.

http://www.dailynews.co.th/thailand/103923