Reading Your Meter - Power Bill Problems?

Question

I have been hassled on my bill by "The Southern Co" a major electricity utility company in the south east. To make a long story short it seems that the closer I get to the date they want me on a fixed budget plan the more it increases. They did it last year and are doing so again this year. I understand about rate increases but these do not account for the extra high rates on a single bed room apt.

I went from $60 per last month to $80 something this time. According to them I used an extra of at least 150 kilowatt hours more than average. As mentioned above I have not been doing anything differently than the previous month.

My foremost question is does anyone no how to calculate the numbers from a meter to figure out the kilowatt hours from the numbers I will post. With this company they are read from left to right. Last months was 78147 and this month is 78879.

I hate being forced on the budget when I know I am being ripped off. Suggestions are appreciated. Many Thanks!

I did forget to add that this is not a digital meter. Paul your reply did not answer the specific question that I asked. Unless of course I am just not understand what your saying. "I need to know how to convert those numbers into kilowatt usage from one month to the next".

Wit this company the meter is read left to right.

Answer 1

this month meter reading is 78879 subtract last months meter reading which is 78147 and you have consumed 732 kwh by which you will be paying.

we may have different bracket rate (I'm from the Philippines) but the idea is still the same.

in fix budget plan they calculate you monthly average consuption and place you in a "bracket-rate" (eg. 100-300kwh =Php.cc 301-400=Php.cc and so on and so forth). when you consume more than your fix budget rate, you bill will be subjected to the next higher bracket rate thus asking you to pay the exess of your budget plan.

budget plans are good because you pay a lower rate whenenver you stay within your budget plan. they become more expensive if you go way out your budget plan & they start changing you with excess charges.

watch your motorized appliences AC fans, washing machine, Freezzers etc (they consume more electricity than TV). you may be using them more than previous months.

Answer 2

The dials on the front of an electric meter indicate the digits of the meter reading. The dial on the far right is the ones digit, the second from the right the tens digit, and so forth.

To read an individual dial, look at the position of the needle. The number just below it is the current value. That is, if the needle is between the 6 and the 7, the value is 6.

Based on the reading you said you got this month, the dials should read like this (from right to left):

1's: between the 9 and 0

10's: between the 7 and 8

100's: between the 8 and 9

1000's: between the 8 and 9

10,000's: between the 7 and 8

But, keep in mind that the needle of a dial to the left of a dial that is between 9 and 0 may be a bit misleading. That is, let's say the 1's dial is between 9 and 0. Then, it's definitely at a value of 9. But, when it passes 0, then the needle of 10's dial should be passing through one of it's numbers as it tallies up another 10 units.

So, if a needle on one of the dials to the left of the 1's dial looks really close to a number (you aren't sure if it has passed the number yet), look at the dial to the right of it. If that dial hasn't definitely passed zero, then the dial on the left has not passed its next number.

There you go. Clear as mud.

Answer 3

Do you reside in a heat climate and have air con? this would reason your bill to bounce seasonally. additionally, in case you reside in a funky place, have a warm spell, and use your AC which will additionally run up your bill. the common relatives AC unit pulls between 3000 and 6000 watts of power. If it runs continuously for a million hour, which will positioned 3 to 6 clicks in line with hour on your meter!

Answer 4

god I wish I could help you . I have no idea. but see your dilemma