Nakrob

We just received the elec bill for our first month in the condo. Scary. It says 1500kwh, equates to over MYR650. I was expecting half this. We're in a 2+1 and only have ac on at night. This is more in a month than a quarter in Australia. I think so other charges may be on the bill, can anyone comment on typical bills.

Bocat

Did they take an actual meter reading or is this an estimated bill?

Most people here tell me their electricity and water bills are pretty cheap (water especially). Most are comparing it to Singapore though (we're in Johor) - so anything seems cheap after Singapore prices.

The rent in our last place included utility charges so I'll find out soon what the electricity charges here are like.

Nakrob

I can't make head nor tail of whether there was a meter reading as there are so many line items on the bill at different rates. Seems overly complicated for an elec bill.

Forgot to say that we run the ac in both bedrooms at nights but otherwise would only occasionally have the fan running in the day.

What about water heaters here? Noticed in both places we've been in that they are electric and independent (we have a switch I. The kitchen and both bathrooms). We leave these on 24/7, is that sensible? I would have thought these are quite efficient.

ajw

Have a look at this and see if it helps

http://www.tnb.com.my/residential/bi...ll/e-bill.html

Why would you leave your water heaters on 24/7? Its got to be adding to your consumption..

ex reg

Aren't there two types of water heater.

Ones with 4 or 5 gallon tanks have a thermostat but keep the water in the tank hot when turned on and the instant type which only heat the water as it runs through them.
The first type uses more elec than the second.

ajw

Quite possibly, but then why would the second type need a wall switch? We always had instantaneous in Aus and no separate wall switches there either.

Ours use a wall switch and keeps the water at a certain temp when turned on. We turn some on for a shower when we get up in the mornings, again in the evenings for the kids to have a bath and throughout the day as needed to do the dishes.

Bills aside its also makes sense on an eco level.

bakedbean

We experimented with turning off water heater and leaving it on 24/7 and it made no difference to our billing... Well marginal.

Nakrob I would try and translate the bill first. Google translate is your friend. If it's an estimate they may be basing it on previous occupant?

If it's not that, get your aircon serviced. Is it an old one?

Also what temperature do you have it on at night?

ex reg

Interesting if you have a storage tank water heater.
If you turn it off when not using then the water gets 'cold' and takes more elec to heat it up when you want it.
If you leave it on it doesn't use the extra elec to heat the water up but uses the extra elec to keep the water up to temp.
Whichever happens storage will use more elec than the instant type.

In my small world anyway.

bakedbean

From what we have seen the instant type ones in Malaysia are crappy. We had a great one in Singapore but not available here it seems.

mikemike

We would love to have scary bills like that!! we use 800/900KWH and it costs us GBP equivalent of 175 a month and that is one air con regularly serviced, the water heater a storage style is off!!. Another reason for us to be leaving Manila, as if you ever needed one

bakedbean

I heard about the electricity costs in the 'Peens. Every country has its downsides eh.

akee

Are you in an apartment? I know some evil neighbors who tap through the wall and steal electricity from neighbors. Check around and see if there's any suspicious wires running around.

ThomasK

I would estimate running two air-cons for the full night costing RM200-RM300 a month. It depends on the air-con power (1KW, 2KW, etc) and whether it's on continuously or shutting off when the desired temperature is reached. That's why it should be serviced if it's not switching off.

The storage tank water heater and the instant shower water heater both normally have the wall switch. The former keeps drawing current while the later only draws current when you're using the shower.

Other appliances that use a lot of electricity are the electric kettle, iron and fridge. Usually only the fridge is left on the whole day. Fans, lights, tv, computer, etc. don't draw much current.

In my experience, without the air-con, my monthly electricity bill in a double-storey house is just above RM 100. Using one air-con for about half the night increases it by close to RM100.

To know whether the bill is an estimate or based on actual usage, check the reading on the bill against the meter.

For more information, call their helpline: 1-300-885454

ThomasK

Btw Joven has some great shower heaters. Panasonic ones aren't bad either.

Nakrob

Thanks for the replies.

We're the first tenants in a new unit so the air con is new and (should be) operating ok. Its a ducted system to each room operated independently. There are no cables leading to other units etc.

Agree with the comments on water heaters, I'm not sure turning it on and off will make much difference although we might try it next month.

I think the bill must be air con use but even so it seems high. We've been running two units for 8-10 hours per night, temp set at 24 to 25 degrees. Our bill is circa 1400kwh in about 40 days, that's 35kwh per day. I don't know what the rating is on our air con (the inverters are behind a screen in a roof section that I can't access) but if I assume all other appliances are negligible they'd need to be 1.5-2KW each to result in our bill. I've no idea on domestic air con rating but would that be reasonable?