According to a study conducted in 2020, Australian consumers spend an average of 386 AUD on electricity quarterly.
The rise in the bill amount over the years could be due to several factors, even your electricity meter. Most people are not aware of how much of a difference electricity meters can make to their monthly electricity bills.
One way to find out if you have the proper electricity meter is to explore more about tariffs and charges levied by various electricity providers in your area. It will let you know how much more or less your neighbors are paying for electricity. If you are paying more, it may be because your electricity provider is charging you extra or because you have the wrong electricity meter.
What Are The Types Of Electricity Meters In Australia?
You might see three different types of electricity meters listed on your power bill – these are sometimes referred to as AMR, digital and smart meters. They all measure how much electricity is used in your home or business, but they are still different in other aspects.
Interval Meter
This type of meter measures consumption every 30 minutes or less. Interval meters cost more than standard electricity meters, but they can help reduce costs by encouraging consumers to use electricity when cheaper.
Accumulation Meter
The accumulation-type electricity meter accumulates usage regularly throughout each month. For example, if your monthly bill is based on a 30-day cycle, it will add accumulated kilowatt-hours to the meter’s total reading during each day of that cycle.
Smart Meter
Some electricity companies now offer smart or advanced meters. These new gadgets rely on digital technology to automatically record and report your energy usage as an alternative to traditional, mechanical electricity meters.
The money spent on your utility bills each month will be determined by two things: how much electricity you use and how much it costs per kilowatt-hour.
How The Meter Type Affects Your Bills?
Most electricity bills are based on a rate of X cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). To calculate your bill, you need to multiply your usage by that number. But there’s more to it than that. Each meter type also has an equivalent consumption rating.
What’s Equivalent Consumption?
If you use 2 kilowatts of power for one hour on an A-type meter, you’ve used 2 kWh of energy. If you use 1 kilowatt for four hours on a B-type meter, you’ve still used only 1 kWh.
How Does Your Electricity Meter Work?
Whatever type of meter you have, it typically measures electricity at regular intervals through a spinning disk or wheel called a rotor mounted on an axle inside a metal case called a shaft.
Because electricity can flow both ways through wires, power flows into the meter first, causing one side of the rotor to turn clockwise. You can always explore more about the functioning of your meter type online.
Which Meter Is Best For You?
Here are some factors to consider when trying to figure out which type of meter is best suited for your needs.
Accuracy
An electricity meter should accurately measure the amount of electricity being used. A meter that is off by even a small margin can result in you being
Energy Management
An electricity meter should have built-in capabilities to control energy consumption or monitor energy consumption remotely.
Interoperability
An electricity meter should provide data in a format that one can easily understand.
The answer to what type of meter is best for you also depends on your energy usage patterns, how you would like to pay for your electricity (in arrears or by usage) if you have solar panels installed on your property. You may also want to take advantage of off-peak pricing.
