Why is my electricity bill so high?

Electricity bill high: tariff change or usage change

Start with the kWh used on this bill and the last few, not the dollar total. If the kWh stayed about the same, an SP bill increase points to the tariff. If the kWh went up, your home used more power.

SP Group says electricity tariffs are regulated and revised every quarter to reflect the actual cost of electricity, so the same kWh can cost more or less from one quarter to the next. Check the current tariff on SP Group's tariff page. The page also shows national average household consumption by home type, so if you are looking at a high electricity bill in an HDB flat, you can compare your kWh with the average for your type of home.

Check the reading itself

If an earlier bill was estimated, a later actual reading can make one bill look high even though your use did not change. SP Group suggests submitting meter readings monthly through the SP app to avoid estimated bills.

1. Find your kWh. Look up the kWh used on your last few bills and note them side by side.
2. Check the reading type. See whether each reading was actual or estimated.
3. Submit a reading. Submit a meter reading in the SP app to avoid an estimated bill.
4. Compare like with like. Compare the new kWh with the same months before, not only with last month.

Appliances that drive bills

Look at the aircon and the water heater first. The National Environment Agency (NEA) says the lower the aircon's temperature setting, the more energy it uses, and suggests these habits:

• Set the temperature at 25 degrees C.
• Use a fan, or run the aircon for about an hour, then switch to a fan.
• Set the timer to switch off half an hour earlier than usual; the room stays cool for a while after.
• Check the filter once a month, clean or replace it when necessary, and service the unit regularly.

For hot water, NEA says a storage water heater keeps using energy while it is switched on. Switch it off, with dry hands, when you do not need hot water; switching it on 10 to 30 minutes before a shower is enough. NEA also says many appliances still draw power after being switched off, so turn them off at the socket.

To see what these changes could mean for your kWh, try the electricity cost calculator and the aircon running cost calculator. For more, see aircon settings that save electricity.

Older or oversized appliances

Replacing an older appliance? Check its Energy Label as well as its price. NEA's Energy Label rates efficiency in ticks, from 1 (Low) to 5 (Excellent), and covers aircons, refrigerators, clothes dryers, televisions and water heaters. More ticks generally means a more efficient model. The label also shows annual energy consumption in kWh, the same measure as your bill.

Size matters too. NEA says oversized aircon units cost more to run and may not dehumidify well because they cool too quickly. For the right capacity, NEA suggests asking your aircon supplier for a detailed assessment. If you are choosing a new unit, also read inverter or non-inverter aircon.

For hot water, NEA's guide for new home owners says an instantaneous water heater is more energy efficient than a storage one. A storage heater keeps heating water while it is left on, while an instantaneous heater only uses energy when water flows through it. Compare the two in instant vs storage heater running cost.

Faults that waste power

NEA says to make sure the fridge door shuts tightly and to clean the aircon filter so the unit runs efficiently. A storage water heater left on all day also keeps using energy. If the aircon is overdue, see how often to service your aircon.

No source we use links a power trip, such as a tripping residual current circuit breaker (RCCB), to a higher bill, so do not treat one as the cause. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) says an RCCB cuts off electricity when it detects a current leakage that may lead to an electric shock. Treat a trip as a safety matter for a Licensed Electrician, not a clue to your bill.

When to call an electrician

If your kWh rose with no change in your habits or appliances, and you have ruled out a tariff change and an estimated reading, ask an electrician to check the installation and the appliances on it. EMA says electrical work in an HDB flat needs a Licensed Electrician, the class of LEW approved for loads of up to 45kVA. EMA also says every LEW carries a licence card with a photograph, name and licence number, and that you should verify it before any work starts.

The cost of a visit depends on the job. See electrician costs for more.

Questions