Three-tariff counter: pros and cons

To pay bills for electricity can take a large part of the family budget. To save even a little money, many enterprising homeowners listen to the advice of management companies and decide to install a three-rate counter in their home.

Such a device, unlike a conventional electricity meter, registers energy consumption differentially, that is, at different time intervals. Why can it be profitable from an economic point of view and how do you reduce utility costs ? We will try to understand.

Who needs it?

It is obvious that the consumption of electricity is uneven. In order to somehow reduce the costs associated with the maintenance of equipment, and encourage users to create an even load during the day, experts suggested residents install a three-rate electricity meter. The thing is that at night, when most of the residents of towns and villages sleep, the load on the serving substation is minimal. In the morning, around 7 am, when people begin to wake up, the so-called morning peak comes. It lasts until 10-11 o'clock in the afternoon. Then, energy consumption is reduced to an average value and remains virtually unchanged until the evening peak - the moment when people start coming from work. The evening peak lasts from 17-18 to 23 hours.

Wave-like nature of electricity consumption is reflected in the work of the electric substation: in the morning and in the evening it functions at full capacity, in the daytime - at the optimal level, and at night practically inactive. As a result of the unevenly distributed load, the wear and tear of machinery is accelerated, and consequently, the operating costs are increased.

Differential accounting

To minimize operating costs, it was suggested to use a three-rate counter. The essence of its use is that energy consumption is accounted for in a differentiated manner, that is, the amount of consumed resources is registered separately during the day, at night, in the morning and evening peaks.

The cost of "daytime", "night" and "peak" kW of energy is different. The daily rate usually corresponds to the cost of one kilowatt of electricity in the ordinary account. The cost of the night is 50-70% lower, but during the morning and evening highs, the price of electricity is usually the highest and can be even 70% higher than the daily price.

You, by reducing consumption in the morning and evening, but increasing the load on the grid at night, can save a lot. This is the main advantage of using a three-rate counter, which will record not only the amount of energy used, but also the consumption time.

When is a multi-tariff meter profitable?

Calculation of a three-rate electricity meter will be beneficial only if the inequality is fulfilled: Here P _n , P _d , P _n - respectively, consumption at night, during the day and during the peak load (in the morning and in the evening), P _c - total energy consumption per day, C _n , C _d and C _n - the cost of electricity at the appropriate time of day, Ц _о - the price of one kW of electricity for one-tariff calculation.

To obtain substantial savings, you will have to change your daily routine. For example, run a washing machine and a dishwasher at night, and in the morning and evening, whenever possible, refuse to switch on some household appliances.

We must not forget that a three-rate counter should still pay off. Calculate the payback period (without inflation) is not difficult. To do this, it is necessary to divide the cost of the device by the amount that it allows to save for a month. By average calculations, this period is up to 12-16 months.

Advantages and disadvantages

Talk about the advantages and disadvantages of multi-tariff electricity metering is possible only if you compare it with a two- and a one-rate calculation system. In the first case, you can achieve significant savings in money and reduce the payback period. In the second, the difference may not be so noticeable in view of the fact that a three-rate counter costs 3-4 times more than usual. It is important to remember that the cost of one kW of electricity in different regions is different. So, in a city the difference between "day" and "night" price can make 50-70%, but outside the city limits, in country cottages or in a village this indicator is at the level of 5-10%.

Multi-tariff meter service

Speaking about expenses, it is impossible not to touch the topic of maintenance of devices. All three-tariff meters are sophisticated electronic devices that, before commissioning, are not only connected to the power system, but also programmed - for each dial, the time range during which it should register the readings is entered.

Obviously, such procedures can only be performed by employees of a specialized company, for example, Mosenergo. A three-rate counter, like a standard recording device, needs to be checked every 16 years.

In the design of these devices there are lithium batteries that retain the settings set in the event of a power outage. Their performance is barely enough for the time interval between inspections. Therefore, be prepared that in the middle of the term you will have to call specialists to replace the batteries.

Ways to increase savings

The main way to increase the economy with a multi-tariff calculation system is to change its daily routine. If possible, try to wash, charge cell phones, turn on air conditioners and use other household appliances exclusively at night.

To convert your home is another way of saving, if you intend to install a three-rate counter. Tariffs for electricity consumption in the apartments in which the electric stove is installed are 50-60% lower than in houses with gas burners. In this case, you can save not only on electricity, but also on gas.

Remember that for a three-tariff meter, the time of tariffs is set separately by the legislature in each region for one year ahead, and it differs from the time intervals established for two-tariff devices. Do not forget to take this into account when calculating your savings.