How your electricity bill is worked out
- Protected homes (200 units or less every month for the last 6 months) pay low rates, slab by slab: the first 100 units at one rate, the next 100 at a slightly higher one.
- Unprotected homes pay one rate for all their units, set by the slab the month's total falls in. Using 301 units instead of 300 moves the whole bill to the next rate, so watch the slab edges.
- On top come the fuel price adjustment (FPA) per unit, a fixed charge for sanctioned load, electricity duty, sales tax and the TV fee. Income tax may be added on large bills if you're not a filer.
Questions
How do I lose protected status?
Using more than 200 units in any one month removes it for the next 6 months, so keep summer AC use in check if you are close to 200.
How many units does a 1.5 ton inverter AC use?
Roughly 1 to 1.5 units per hour, depending on the outside heat and thermostat setting. 8 hours a day for a month is about 250–350 units.
Why is my real bill different?
Your bill may include arrears, extra taxes for non-filers, or a different FPA. Enter the numbers from your last bill for a closer estimate.