Electricity bill questions

Electricity bill in Singapore: tariffs and charges

A bill is usually high because you used more kWh, the rate per kWh went up, or both. Compare this bill's kWh with your last few. If usage rose, think about what changed at home: longer aircon hours on hot nights, guests staying over or a water heater left on. If usage held steady, look at the rate, since the tariff is revised every quarter. Also check whether the reading was estimated.

What makes up the SP tariff?

SP Group lists four components: energy costs, network costs, the market support services fee, and the market administration and power system operation fee. The tariff is regulated and revised quarterly to reflect the actual cost of electricity. Energy costs are the part paid to generation companies.

Why did my tariff change this quarter?

Because the tariff is revised every quarter. SP Group explains that energy costs are adjusted each quarter in line with fuel and generation costs, and the tariff is revised to reflect the actual cost of electricity. Your rate can therefore rise or fall between quarters even when your usage stays the same.

Where can I compare my usage with other homes?

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) points to its annual Singapore Energy Statistics, which give average monthly household electricity consumption by household type and planning area. Find the entry for your home type and area, then set it beside the kWh on your recent bills. For flats, see our guide to electricity usage in HDB flats.

Switching retailer

You can stay with SP Group or buy from a retailer. The Open Electricity Market explains that retailers can vary prices, bundle services and impose lock-in periods or early termination charges. SP Group must supply all consumers, cannot freely change its prices because they are regulated, and does not tie you to a contract or charge early termination fees. To compare the two, see Open Electricity Market or SP.

How do I switch retailer?

The Open Electricity Market sets out three steps. First, compare standard price plans with the Price Comparison Tool. Next, contact the retailer, ask for the plan's Fact Sheet and the Consumer Advisory, and read both. Then sign up, and the retailer works with SP Group to make the switch.

What contract terms should I check?

The Open Electricity Market lists five things to check: contract duration, payment terms, security deposit, early termination charges and auto-renewal clauses. If a contract renews automatically, its switching FAQs say you can end the renewed contract within 30 calendar days of its start, with at least 30 calendar days' notice and no early termination charges.

What is a non-standard plan?

It is a retail plan outside the standard price plans. The Open Electricity Market warns that rates on these plans may not be all-inclusive, may change during the contract and may include recurring charges or fees. Ask the retailer for the plan's Fact Sheet and check exactly what the rate covers before you sign.

Cutting the bill

The part you control is the kWh you use. The National Environment Agency (NEA) notes that many appliances still draw power after they are switched off, so turn them off at the socket when you are not using them.

Which appliances use the most?

For many homes, the aircon and a storage water heater are the big ones. The aircon often runs for hours on hot days and nights, and a storage heater is easy to leave on after a shower. To run the aircon on less power, see our guide to aircon settings to save electricity.

Does a storage heater cost more to run?

It can, if you leave it switched on. NEA notes that storage heaters keep using energy while switched on, and that switching one on 10 to 30 minutes before showering is enough. To compare running costs with an instant heater, see instant or storage heater running cost.

How do I estimate an appliance's cost?

Multiply its power in kilowatts by the hours you run it to get kWh, then multiply the kWh by the rate on your bill. The power rating is usually printed on the appliance's label, often in watts, so divide by 1,000 to get kilowatts. Our electricity cost calculator does the sums for you.

Where to go next

Most bill questions you can settle yourself with SP Group or your retailer. These pages go further on high bills and on electrical problems at home.

• Guide to a high electricity bill: what to check when a bill is higher than you expected.
• The electrical FAQ: short answers on electrical safety and faults at home.

If you suspect a problem with wiring, a socket or the switchboard, do not open anything yourself. Call a Licensed Electrician to inspect it.

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