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Today, you can often hear that someone has installed a two-rate electricity meter, which allows you to save money on paying electricity bills. What is it and how does a two-zone tariff work – in the article.
The amount of electricity consumed varies greatly depending on the time of day. The peak time interval is between 17:23 and 7:10. At this time, people come home from work and begin to actively use household appliances. The second peak – morning – from 23 to 7 hours. This is the time when everyone woke up, going to work and study. In the daytime, consumption drops slightly (compared to morning), but remains at a fairly high level. The least electricity is consumed at night – from XNUMX to XNUMX in the morning.
Especially high load is observed in the evening – it is several times higher than the daytime level. Such peak loads are a test for the power system. In order to transfer part of the activity to the most unloaded period – to the night hours – different tariffs were introduced for “peak” and night hours, or, as they say, two tariffs “day” and “night”. Sometimes the difference in cost is significant – you can save up to 50% or more. This is not bad, but for separate accounting of consumption, a two-tariff electricity meter is required.
Outwardly, such counters are practically no different. Their “stuffing” is changing. Inside there is a small processor, which separately counts the amount of energy consumed in given periods of time.
How profitable
It is impossible to say unambiguously beneficial installation of a two-tariff electric meter or not. Tariffs in each region of Russia are set separately. In some, the difference between the night rate and the single one can be 3-4 times. But, most often, nighttime accruals are about half as much (compared to daytime ones). And even under such conditions, you can save a fairly large amount – 1/3 of the monthly charges and more. True, for this it is necessary to transfer the work of electrical appliances at night. Tariffs for some regions of Russia are shown in the table. It can be used to estimate the difference in tariffs.
After analyzing the table, you understand that not everything is as rosy as it seemed. In some regions, where daily rates are much higher than single-tariff rates, savings are in question. The overnight gain is eaten up by the overpayment during the day. In such areas, you need to carefully calculate everything (how – see below). When calculating, you need to take into account that you will buy a new two-tariff electricity meter for your money, as well as reprogram it if necessary. So for a while you will just pay back the investment. And no one is immune from changes in tariffs or the legal framework. And it may well happen that in a few years it turns out that you pay more on a two-rate meter than on a single-rate one. There are already many such cases.
What can save
Modern household appliances may have a delayed start function. Thanks to her, you can do laundry at night, wash dishes in a dishwasher, cook breakfast (multi-cookers, bread makers and other similar equipment). Some even heat water in storage boilers at night, closer to the morning, by setting timers on them. In addition, a fairly large number of “regular” equipment works at night – a refrigerator, air conditioners or heating appliances. So, it may well be that the consumption at night will be more than during the day.
If the tariffs in your region are “normal” and there are savings, it makes sense to install a two-tariff electricity meter in large families where the consumption is high. Such a system is beneficial for “owls” who go to bed long after midnight. Their main activity is at night, so the main expense will be during the lowest rate. But it is possible to determine exactly whether this innovation will give you any tangible benefit or not, only after calculations.
We determine economic efficiency
First you need to find out the two-zone and single-zone tariffs in force in your area. Then, within a few days (better – a week), conduct an experiment Move all possible technical processes to the night, and track how much electricity you consume at the same time at the night rate, and how much at the daytime. Readings will have to be recorded manually at 7 am and 11 pm. It is necessary to write down taking into account the decimal places – so the calculations will be more accurate.
You summarize the readings collected for the week – separately daytime, separately nightly. Multiply by the corresponding rates. You receive the amount that you will pay when switching to a two-zone tariff. To have something to compare with, count the total amount of electricity consumed (adding the night and day parts) and multiply by the single-zone tariff. Now you can calculate the difference and evaluate whether it is worth messing with this venture.
Manufacturers and prices
Electricity meters of any type are single-phase and three-phase. Two- and multi-tariff too. In this, as well as in appearance, there are no differences. The difference is usually in price, but it is understandable – more complex equipment has a higher cost.
The two-tariff electric meters of the Moscow Plant of Electrical Measuring Instruments (MZEPA) are most in demand on the market. It’s not so much the quality (which, by the way, is average), but the price – these are the most inexpensive metering devices of this type. The enterprise produces two-tariff energy meters SOE-55. They are available in eight versions. They differ in the value of the maximum current for which they are designed, the number of zones that can be programmed. Any model can have two types of cases: for installation on a Din-rail or in a special box. The price of two-phase electricity meters SOE-55 is from $ 20 to $ 30, and this is in the distribution network.
Energomer counters are marked 102 in 4 modifications, marked 208 – in two. Each of the modifications can be made in several cases – in a standard box for mounting and with projections for a DIN rail. There is also a case with a remote indication indicator.
According to reviews, good units, products of this brand are distinguished by powerful terminals for connection, which is always good. Also have a warranty period of 5 years from the date of issue. In terms of prices – simple models cost about $ 23, with a remote control – $ 130.
Quite popular are the products of the Moscow company “INCOTEKS” – Mercury counters. There are three modifications of multiphase meters of this brand: Mercury 200, 203 2T, 206. They can count 4 different tariffs, it is possible to program up to 8 zones per day, set 8 types of days (sometimes weekends and holidays are also counted at a reduced rate). It is possible to set up to 12 seasons. The cost is from $ 25 to $ 70 (depending on the degree of “tricked out”).
A two-tariff electricity meter is connected in the same way as a single-tariff one. There is no point in dwelling on this, everything is scheduled here.
How to take readings from a two-tariff meter
Most two-tariff meters have liquid crystal screens, on which some numbers change at a certain frequency (usually once every 10 seconds). What these numbers mean is written in the passport, which must be included. But usually there is:
- Date.
- Current time.
- The total amount of electricity consumed. When this parameter appears on the screen, either the number T or the inscription total is displayed on the screen. This parameter is not needed for accruals on the day-night system. It is more of a reference character.
- The amount of electricity at the daily rate. Designated T 1 or T 1,1. This figure must be recorded.
- The amount of electricity at the night rate – T 2 or T 1.2. This indicator is also needed.
These options are always displayed. The current voltage, frequency can also be displayed. This is a reference data so that you can check the network settings.
When determining the payment for electricity on a two-tariff meter, you must have four digits – two debited from the meter for the previous month, two – just removed. Subtract in pairs – T1 from T1, T2 from T2. The resulting difference will be the number of kilowatts consumed for each of the zones. We multiply this amount by the corresponding tariff, add up the amounts and get the total cost of electricity consumed.
To make it clearer, let’s take an example. The counter is installed in St. Petersburg, a house with gas stoves. Previous month readings:
- T1 — 325,2 kW
- T2 — 278,8 kW
Readings just taken:
- T1 — 417,7 kW
- T2 — 332,6 kW
Let’s define the difference:
- T1 = 417,7 — 325,2 = 92,5 kW
- T2 = 332,6 — 278,8 = 53,8 kW
Let’s calculate the amount:
- According to the daily tariff T1: 92,5 kW * 3,91 rubles / kW = 361,675 rubles
- At night T2: 53,8 kW * 2,30 rubles / kW = 123,74 rubles
Total amount: 361,68 + 123,74 = 485,42 rubles
At the same time, it is possible to assess whether the use of a two-tariff meter is beneficial in this case: we find the total amount of electricity consumed by adding T1 and T2, multiply the resulting figure by a single-zone tariff:
The total amount of electricity consumed is 92,5 + 53,8 = 146,3 kW, the total amount is 146,3 * 3,84 = 561,792 rubles.
Based on these results, we can conclude that installing two-rate meters in St. Petersburg is quite profitable. With this small expense, the savings are 76,32 rubles.