When faced with the need to pay bills for the first time, many people are initially confused.
Difficulties can be caused by: installing a new meter, switching to a two-tariff meter, or even setting up an autonomous power supply system, for which you need to independently calculate the approximate power consumption without a meter.
Let's find out how to calculate the payment for electricity using the meter in all of the above cases. Everything is much simpler than it seems!
How to take meter readings correctly?
Counters come in two designs:
- Induction devices are “old-fashioned” bulky devices with a rotating wheel.
- Static - or modern electric.
Many people still have induction ones, but the trend towards switching to electronic models is already clearly visible - they calculate more accurately, look better, and do not make noise.
When taking readings from an induction device, pay attention to the first 5 digits (some models have 4).
The last digit is usually placed slightly separately or highlighted in a different color, it rotates relatively quickly - it is usually not written on the receipt (for an even and simpler counting) - this is the reading after the “decimal point” in the decimal fraction.
It is better to take data on the same day of the month. In some regions of the country, it is customary to call the MES or RES on your own (on the appointed day) and report your readings. Otherwise, the organization makes calculations based on average consumption over the past months - this data will be reflected in the receipt.
How to take readings from an electronic meter, multi-tariff readings
The electronic device can calculate a single tariff, or can be configured to count for several tariffs (different tariffs are introduced for the purpose of saving - during the day they are a little more expensive than usual, and at night they are much cheaper).
The desired mode is selected in the device menu (modes are usually changed by repeatedly pressing the enter button):
- T1 – for single tariff.
- T2 – for separate payment of the grace period from 23:00 to 7:00 am.
- T3 – one standard tariff and two preferential ones.
When these modes (T1 and T2) are displayed alternately, the device will show different readings that have accumulated over the month at a given tariff.
The difference with previous readings is calculated for each tariff separately.
How to take readings from an electric meter when replacing it
Meters are replaced due to their obsolescence, when inaccurate readings are suspected, and for periodic testing in the laboratory. What to do with the readings if the old meter was dismantled and a new one was installed?
Before the old meter is removed, the readings from it are copied onto paper.
You will need to pay off the outstanding balance on the meter.
All other manipulations will be done by the controller.
He will seal the new meter, draw up documents for it and transfer them to the service organization.
Next time the receipt will come with a new number and readings of the installed meter.
By the way, many people are interested in whether it is possible to replace the electric meter yourself? Yes, it is possible, but you must first notify the RES (you can do it by phone). But the company controller must seal the meter.
How to calculate electricity using a meter
To eliminate errors, it is necessary to carry out the calculation correctly.
Where to find tariff information
To independently determine the amount of electricity payment for the current period, you need to know exactly the cost of the service. Depending on the region of the Russian Federation, as well as additional parameters (type of settlement, availability of certain electrical appliances and rates at different times of the day), the tariff for the population may differ significantly.
You can find out the cost for a specific territory as follows:
- Check on the website or at the office of the utility service provider. The data must be indicated on stands in specialized payment centers.
- When tariffs increase, information is published in the official press and on the website of the regional commission that deals with this issue. The department’s website also has an online calculator that roughly calculates the fee for a specified time period.
- Look on the receipt. During the period when tariffs increase, some discrepancies are possible.
Attention! It is not recommended to use unofficial sources of information, as they may contain unverified or outdated information.
Calculation
It is not difficult to calculate the payment for consumed electricity; to do this, you need to follow a certain scheme, depending on the type of device.
Calculation of power consumption
Sometimes an owner needs to know the approximate energy consumption in his home without a meter in order, for example, to switch the house to an alternative energy source.
To do this, all household appliances and light bulbs in the house are rewritten.
The power of each of them is indicated (if it is not visible on the case, it is taken from the technical documents).
Those devices that do not give off heat while they are working are called condenser devices. For them, you need to take into account that the starting power will be 2 - 2.5 times greater than that indicated in the documents.
Add up all the powers of induction appliances (giving off heat - irons, incandescent lamps, stoves, etc.) and condenser appliances (TV, washing machine, refrigerator, etc.), multiplied by 2 - 2.5.
Add 10% to stock. The required power is obtained.
How to calculate the cost of electricity and its consumption?
Let's look at how to calculate electricity consumption. On meters, the basic unit of measurement is 1 kW/h (kilowatt per hour). Each region has its own prices for this kilowatt.
To calculate the payment , you need to know two indicators: the tariff (how much 1 kW/h costs) and energy consumption (how much “runs up” on your meter).
There are three ways to find out local rates:
- From the receipt that comes to your apartment or house every month.
- By calling the supplier organization.
- On the official website of the relevant electrical networks.
Electricity consumption is calculated by simply subtracting the previous month's figure from the current figure.
By multiplying the expense by the tariff, we get the amount that needs to be paid for light.
Did you know that a custom heating meter can save you up to 60% on your space heating bills? Heating meter for an apartment - operating principle, installation, reading.
We'll tell you how to heat a country house with electricity here.
Installing electrical wiring requires certain knowledge. The next topic will be devoted to the intricacies of installing electricity in a private home.
Common house meter (ODN)
Another question - how to calculate one-time electricity consumption? The general meter keeps track of electricity for lighting the elevator, entrance and stairs and other joint expenses.
The payment from each owner will be greater, the more m2 of living space he occupies.
In order:
- Readings are taken in the same way as on a home device.
- The last paid data for the last month is subtracted.
- The resulting readings are divided by the area of all apartments.
- What happens is multiplied by the number of m2 of your apartment.
- Your expense is multiplied by the local rate.
How is payment calculated if there is no meter?
How to calculate electricity without a meter? There may not be an individual metering device. In this case, the average consumption rate for the region is taken.
The number of people living in the apartment is multiplied by the average consumption rate (each region has its own) and multiplied by the local tariff.
How to take readings from three-phase meters
There are two types of three-phase electricity meters - the old type, which requires transformers, and electronic direct connection (without transformers). If an electronic one is installed, the electricity meter readings must be taken in the same way as described above. Simply write down the values, wait until the necessary information is displayed on the screen, or “scroll” the data to the required page.
Connecting an electric meter in a three-phase network via current transformers
If a large amount of power is allocated or an old-style meter is installed, a transformer is installed on each of the phases. To take readings in this case, you need to know the transformation ratio. The readings taken must be multiplied by this coefficient. The resulting figure will be the actual expense.
But in general, you need to read the contract. The calculation procedure must be prescribed there - in some organizations they write out readings, put down the transformer data or transformation ratio, and the actual calculations are made by the operator himself. So, if you have a 3-phase meter, check the form and procedure for calculations when installing and sealing the metering device and putting it into operation.
Calculation example
For example, let’s take a conventional apartment equipped with an individual meter. The owner just took a reading: 56100 kW.
Last month it recorded 55830 kW.
To find out the amount of energy expended, he subtracts the smaller from the larger:
56100 – 55830 = 270 kW.
In his area the tariff is 3.5 rubles.
270 x 3.5 = 945 rub.
That's how much he has to pay for the month.
In conclusion, we would like to add that there are many ways to pay for electricity. You can fill out the received receipt, go to the nearest bank, or even do it without leaving your home, on the website of the relevant organization. Also, many banks provide services for paying for electricity via the Internet.
Many apartment owners do not agree to pay for heating according to average rates. A heat meter for an apartment will allow you to pay for the heat actually spent.
Instructions for making an electrolyzer with your own hands are presented in this topic.
What determines the cost of paying for electricity?
As a rule, all owners of their own property pay utility bills once a month. Electricity costs account for a significant share of them. To avoid excessive costs for this type of service, you need to optimize your monthly electricity consumption.
To do this, every electricity consumer must know several things:
- types of electricity meters;
- how to correctly take readings from an electric meter (ES);
- how to make the correct calculation;
- form of payment for individuals;
- communal meter;
- correct filling of receipts;
- application of two tariff systems;
- rules for installation and repair of electrical systems;
- tips for saving electricity.
Types of electricity meters
Today, two types of ES are used in everyday life:
- Induction (mechanical);
- Electronic.
Induction
Induction, or mechanical, ES have been known for a long time. Rotating disk devices are the most common meters in the country. Behind the glass window of the device you can see the rotating rim of the wheel. The higher its rotation speed, the greater the electricity consumption. The number of revolutions is recorded by a digital display. It consists of a series of spinning reels with numbers from 0 to 9 printed on them.
The operating principle of induction devices is that an aluminum disk is placed between two coils (windings and voltage). Magnetic fluxes penetrating the disk cause it to rotate. The axis of the disk rotates the gear wheel of the counting mechanism. As current flow increases, the power of the magnetic flux increases, causing the disk to rotate faster. As energy consumption drops, the process occurs in reverse. A permanent magnet installed above the disk ensures smooth (without jerking) rotation of the circle.
The advantages of such devices include reliable operation for decades. Practice shows that meters are insensitive to sudden changes in voltage in the network.
It should be noted! Calculations of energy consumption occur with some error.
Electronic
Devices of this type are more expensive than induction ES. However, during operation, electronic devices showed their high accuracy class. The possibility of using multi-tariff metering of energy consumption is important.
The meter's operation is based on the principle of converting an analog signal coming from a sensor into a digital code. The code is decrypted by the microcontroller. After which the data is shown on the device display. The ES itself consists of voltage and current sensors, a signal converter, a microcontroller and a display. In some types of devices, a digital drum may be installed instead of a display.
The advantages of electronic devices include multiple tariffs and the ability to remotely take readings of electricity consumption. In case of unauthorized entry into the power supply system for the purpose of stealing electricity, the meter will immediately inform you about this. The ES is equipped with a memory that stores electricity metering data.
Along with this, electronic meters do not tolerate sudden changes in voltage in the network and may fail. Repairing devices is quite complicated and expensive.
How to take electricity meter readings correctly
To take readings, take a notepad and pen and inspect the digital display of the ES. Write down all the numbers in a notepad. It is advisable to do this constantly on the same date (for example, on the first day of every month).
The last two digits after the decimal point are not taken into account - these are tenths and hundredths of a kilowatt-hour. The number on the dial displays the number of kilowatt-hours passed through the meter since it was installed and put into operation.
How to make the correct calculation
To know how to calculate electricity using meters, you need to follow simple rules. To correctly calculate the electricity consumed, the readings taken are recorded in a notebook. Previous meter readings that have already been paid are subtracted from the amount received.
The formula for calculating costs is quite simple. The counts are calculated by determining the above difference. Then the resulting value is multiplied by the tariff, which is the current cost of 1 kilowatt-hour at the time of calculation. If you have doubts about the correctness of the price, you need to make inquiries at the regional department of the energy supply company.
If a two-tariff ES is installed, then its readings are multiplied by its tariff (day and night). Tariffs must not be confused, otherwise regulatory authorities will issue a fine. There is no point in hoping that this will not be noticed.
Important! The amount payable for electricity is entered in the receipt. If for any reason timely payment was not made, and the tariff has increased over the past period, then you will have to pay at the new rate.
Form of payment for individuals
There are several ways to pay for electricity using meters. In the first case, an individual makes a payment using a subscription book at a bank branch that accepts this type of payment. The subscription book is intended to pay for all types of utilities, including electricity costs. Payment can also be made using a separate receipt book issued by the energy supply company.
