A higher bill, or more use?
Training 1885 minutesenergy bill
The last bill was $40 and the new one is $54. You want to switch everything off, but first need to understand the calculation.
Training goal: Separate quantity, unit price and billing period
▶ Play this trainingSituation
1. Previously, 200 units cost $0.20 each. Now 200 units cost $0.27 each. There are no other charges.
- Consumption rose by $14
- Appliances must have become less efficient
- Usage is unchanged; unit price rose
2. The next bill estimates 240 units. Actual usage over the same period is 210.
- Simply stop paying without contacting anyone
- Query the 30-unit difference
- Treat an estimate as an exact reading
3. At $0.27 per unit, what is the 30-unit difference worth?
- It is $8.10
- It is $30
- It is $0.30
4. You compare two billing periods with different numbers of days.
- Treat a larger total as worse habits
- Look only at the supplier’s discount
- Compare units per day and conditions
What you will learn
- Price and consumption differ
- An estimate is not a reading
- Compare equivalent periods
Your real-life step
Check one bill against dates, readings and unit price.
Questions and answers
Does a higher bill prove higher usage?
No. Price, duration or other charges may have changed.
How can an estimate be corrected?
Follow the supplier’s process and submit actual readings for the relevant date.
Does a low unit rate guarantee the cheapest plan?
No. Include fixed charges and your usage.
More trainings in this module
- Efficiency with a price tag
- Six portions, four dinners
- A pass that goes unused
- Repair buys useful months
- The shift ends after the bus
- A large pack, a small saving
Numbers are illustrative. A game, not financial advice.