UNDERSTANDING THE UPS AND DOWNS OF YOUR UTILITIES BILL

HOW YOUR BILL IS ESTIMATED ON

NON-READING MONTHS

Your meters are read once every two months by our meter
readers. During the months when your meters are not read, we
estimate your utilities consumption by taking the average daily
usage between the last two actual meter readings. When the
meters are next read, the under or over-estimation in your bills
will be adjusted accordingly.
Here is an example:
Actual meter reading for 5 March
Actual meter reading for 5 May
Actual electricity consumption from
5 March to 5 May (54,794 - 53,678)
Number of days for the billing period
from 5 March to 5 May
Average daily consumption
(1,116 units / 62 days)

53,678
54,794
1,116 kWh
62 days
18 kWh

As meters are read every other month, your meter will not be
read in June in the example above. Your estimated consumption
will be calculated by multiplying the above daily consumption
by the number of days in the current billing period.
Number of days for the billing period
from 6 May to 5 June
Estimated usage for the billing period
from 6 May to 5 June (18 units x 31 days)

31 days
558 kWh

SUBMIT YOUR OWN METER READINGS

If you do not wish to be billed based on estimation, we

encourage you to record your own meter readings and submit
them* for billing during months when your meters are not read.
You can submit your meter readings through our new SP
Services mobile app and use it to discover more ways to save
on your energy and water usage.
Alternatively, you may also submit your own meter readings
via our:



*Please refer to your utilities bills on details to submit your own meter reading.

ENERGY EFFIENCY TIPS

Choose energy efficient appliances by
checking their energy labels
Set your air-conditioner thermostat at
25C, set the timer to reduce the hours of
usage and clean the air filters regularly

When the meters are next read in July, you will be billed the
usage between May and July readings, less what was already
billed in June.

Use fans instead of air-conditioners

Actual meter reading for May

Actual meter reading for July
Consumption from May to July
(56,036 - 54,794)
Consumption already billed in June bill
Balance consumption that will be billed
in July bill (1,242 - 558)

54,794
56,036
1,242 kWh

Switch off your water heater after use

558 kWh
684 kWh

Use fluorescent or energy-saving lamps

and clean them often

Find out more about energy efficiency tips and how to conduct a home energy audit at www.spservices.com.sg.
The audit will help you better understand the major components of your electricity usage at home.
For water saving tips, please visit PUBs website at www.pub.gov.sg.

Understanding the

UPS and DOWNS

of Your Utilities Bill

UNDERSTANDING THE UPS AND DOWNS OF YOUR UTILITIES BILL

For instance, if an air-conditioner is set at 24C and the
average ambient (i.e. outdoor) temperature increases from
26C to 28C, the air-conditioner will consume more energy to
maintain the indoor air temperature at 24C.

A. The higher consumption in July, and

B. An adjustment of the under-estimated consumption in
June.

ADJUSTMENT ON ESTIMATED
CONSUMPTION

During the hotter months of the year, usually from April to

August, there tends to be increased usage of appliances such
as air-conditioners and fans. People would take more showers
as well, resulting in higher household electricity and water
consumption.

Meter Reading Taken on Odd Months

Utilities meters are read once every other month. For example,
if your meters are read in May, they will not be read again until
July. Your June bill will be estimated by multiplying the average
daily consumption, calculated from the actual meter readings
recorded in March and May, by the number of days in the
current billing period (please see overleaf for an example).
Compared to the cooler weather in April and May, June is a
relatively hotter month that usually sees an increase in electricity
usage. Hence, the estimated usage for June (based on actual
meter readings recorded in March and May) could likely be
lower than your actual consumption.

Amount
under-billed
in Jun

estimated

Even when daily activities and lifestyle remain the same during
this period, electricity consumption of appliances such as airconditioners could be higher. Compared to cooler months,
hotter weather and higher outdoor air temperatures create a
greater load on air-conditioners in order to maintain the desired
indoor temperature.

Apr

Average Monthly Electricity Consumption for Homes

and Average Mean Temperature in 2014*
600
500

26.2

27.2

27.9

28.2

28.6

29.0

28.7

28.5

28.4

27.5

27.1

29.5
27.5

400

25.5

300

23.5

403

400

462

497

518

508

511

476

464

488

453

421

200
100

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Average Consumption (kWh)

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Other possible causes of a high bill include:

31.5

27.7

Amount
under-billed
in Jun

estimated

HOT WEATHER

When your meters are next read in July, your July bill may
show a significant increase compared to the June bill
because it reflects:

estimated

Utilities consumption varies from month to month,

resulting in fluctuations in the monthly utilities bill
amount. Several factors can affect your consumption.

Mean Temperature ( C)
o

Higher usage due to school holidays or more occupants

being home during the period,
More days in the billing period which can vary from 28 to
32 days,
Tariff changes,
New or additional appliances installed, and/or
More frequent baths or higher laundry loads.

21.5

CONTACT US

19.5

General Enquiries on Utilities 1800 222 2333

17.5

(Mon to Fri 8am to 6pm, Sat 8am to 1pm)

15.5

Email spservices@singaporepower.com.sg
Fax 6304 8229
Breakdown of Electricity Supply 1800 778 8888 (24 hrs)
Problems with Water Supply 1800 284 6600 (24 hrs)

*Average monthly electricity consumption is derived from the electricity consumption data for all HDB and Private Properties only
Please visit www.spservices.com.sg for information on the national average monthly consumption by premise types

Breakdown of Piped Gas Supply 1800 752 1800 (24 hrs)