Trystan Casey
Reading a digital electric submeter is a useful skill to have, especially if you want to compute your electricity bill, manage your energy budget, or troubleshoot any issues. In the Philippines, Meralco accounts for the expenses of transmitting electricity from power plants to distribution companies by charging a 10.1% transmission fee. Your monthly bill will also include various taxes, such as the local franchise tax, value-added tax (VAT), and the Missionary Electrification Charge. To understand your energy consumption and manage your budget, it's important to learn how to read your digital electric submeter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Digital electric submeter |
| Usage | Installed in condominiums or apartments |
| Reading | Read the number on the digital display |
| Previous Reading | Reading from the previous month |
| Current Reading | Reading on the scheduled monthly meter reading date |
| Meter Number | Identifies your meter |
| Billing Determinants | Monthly kWh consumption |
| Billing Date | Refer to the billing information section at the front of the bill |
| Bill Components | Unbundled into various charges as mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 |
| Monthly Bill Amount | Derived using monthly rates and billing determinants |
| Transmission Charge | 10.1% included in the monthly bill |
| Taxes | Local franchise tax, value-added tax (VAT), tax recovery adjustment charge (TRAC), and Missionary Electrification Charge |
| Other Charges | System loss, feed-in tariff allowance, and subsidies for low-income customers and senior citizens |
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What You'll Learn
Reading a digital display
Ignore any decimals or extra digits at the end of the number. These extra digits are either rate settings or fractions of the reading and may be in a different colour or style.
If you are reading a digital submeter, the process is the same. Submeters display your electricity consumption in numbers. This type of meter is typically installed in condominiums or apartments.
If your meter has dials, you will need to follow a different process.
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Reading an electromechanical meter
To read the meter, start by looking at the dial on the far right. Record the number that the pointer has just passed. If the pointer is sitting directly on a number, check the dial to its left. If the pointer on the left dial has not passed zero, record the lower number. If it has passed zero, record the higher number. Repeat this process for each dial, reading from right to left, and recording the numbers in the same order. This will give you the total energy consumption of your home in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
It is important to note that the meter never resets. To determine your current monthly usage, subtract your previous bill's total kWh usage from the current reading. When the pointer is between two digits, always round down to the lower number. If the dial is on a number but the dial to the right reads zero, round down to the next lowest number.
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Understanding your monthly bill
Understanding your monthly electricity bill is an important skill to have, as it can help you make informed decisions about your energy consumption and save money. Here's a guide to understanding your monthly bill in the Philippines:
Reading Your Meter
The first step to understanding your monthly bill is to know how to read your electric meter. In the Philippines, there are three types of electricity meters: digital, electromechanical, and submeter. If you have a digital meter or a submeter, simply read the number on the digital display to get your current reading. For electromechanical meters, read the dials from left to right and note the smaller number that each pointer has just passed. If the pointer lands between two numbers, choose the lower number.
Understanding Your Bill Components
Your monthly electricity bill consists of several components that contribute to the total amount due. These components include:
- Rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh): This is the rate you are charged for electricity consumption.
- Meter reading: This is the record of your electricity consumption in kWh and forms the basis of your monthly bill.
- Total amount due: This is the final amount you need to pay for that billing cycle.
- Other charges: These may include taxes, fees, and levies, such as the local franchise tax, value-added tax (VAT), and renewable energy levies. The specific taxes and fees included in your bill will depend on your location and rate class.
Calculating Your Consumption
To calculate your electricity consumption for the month, subtract the previous month's meter reading from the current month's reading. This will give you the number of kWh consumed during that period. Multiply this number by the rate per kWh to estimate your electricity charges for that month.
Appliance Consumption
Additionally, understanding the electrical consumption of individual appliances can help you identify areas where you can save money. You can use online tools, such as the Wattmatters calculator or Meralco's appliance energy calculator, to estimate the daily and monthly costs of using specific appliances. Alternatively, you can manually compute the kWh consumption of each appliance by multiplying its wattage by the number of hours used per day and then dividing that by 1000 (as a kilowatt is equivalent to 1000 watts).
By understanding the components of your monthly bill and how to calculate your consumption, you can make more informed decisions about your energy usage and effectively manage your budget.
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Calculating your bill
To calculate your electric bill in the Philippines, you must first understand the kWh rate and how to read your electric meter.
There are three types of electricity meters in the Philippines: digital, electromechanical, and submeter. If you have a digital meter, simply read the number on the digital display to get your current reading. Submeters also display your electricity consumption numerically.
To calculate your electricity consumption, take note of your current meter reading and subtract it from the previous one. This will give you the number of kWh consumed for that particular month.
Multiply the kWh consumed by the rate per kWh to get an estimate of how much you owe for electricity consumption during that billing period. The rate per kWh may vary depending on whether you are a home, business, or industrial user.
In addition to the energy used, your electric bill may also include other charges such as delivery costs, infrastructure fees, taxes, and renewable energy levies. For example, Meralco, the main electricity distributor in the Philippines, includes a 10.1% transmission charge in its monthly bills to cover the cost of delivering electricity from generation companies to its distribution system.
You can also calculate the electricity consumption of individual appliances to get a better understanding of your energy usage. Appliances list their power consumption in either watts (W) or amps (A) and volts (V). If your appliance uses watts, multiply the wattage by the number of hours used per day, then divide by 1,000 to get the daily kWh consumption. If your appliance only lists amps and volts, multiply them together to convert them into watts, then use the formula above.
By understanding the kWh rate, learning how to read your electric meter, and calculating your electricity consumption, you can accurately compute your electric bill in the Philippines.
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Reducing electricity expenses
Understand Your Electricity Bill
Knowing the components of your electricity bill can help you identify areas where you can save. Most bills will show your total usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh), your previous balance, any adjustments, and the due date. Understanding these details can help you make informed decisions about your electricity usage and expenses.
Switch to Solar Energy
One of the most effective ways to reduce electricity expenses is to transition to solar energy. Solar panels harness the power of the sun to generate electricity, reducing your reliance on traditional grid systems. This is especially beneficial in the Philippines, where there is an abundance of sunlight. By investing in solar panels, you can significantly lower your electricity bills and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances
When purchasing new appliances, look for those with the Energy Star label, which indicates lower energy consumption. Using energy-efficient appliances can make a noticeable difference in your electricity usage and expenses.
Switch to LED Bulbs
LED bulbs consume up to 80% less energy and have a longer lifespan compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. By replacing the bulbs in your home with LED alternatives, you can achieve substantial savings on your electricity bill over time.
Set Up Reminders or Automatic Payments
Staying on top of your bill payments is essential to avoid late fees or disconnection of your electricity service. Most utility companies in the Philippines offer online services where you can check your current and past bills, monitor usage graphs, and set up notifications. By setting reminders or opting for automatic payments, you can ensure timely payments and maintain a consistent electricity supply.
By implementing these strategies and adopting more energy-efficient habits, you can effectively reduce your electricity expenses and contribute to a more sustainable future in the Philippines.
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Frequently asked questions
Digital electric submeters display your electricity consumption as a number on a screen. Simply read the number on the digital display to get your present reading. Ignore any decimals or extra digits at the end.
Digital electric submeters are typically installed in condominiums or apartments. Your meter's reading is the large number displayed in the centre of the screen.
Electromechanical meters have four or five dials that move in opposite directions to record your electricity consumption. Read the dials from left to right and note the smaller number that each pointer has just passed. If the pointer lands between two numbers, choose the lower number.
Subtract your previous bill's total kWh usage from the current reading you've taken to determine your current monthly usage. Your meter never actually resets, so the number you see on the display is the total amount of electricity your home has consumed up to that point.
