YOUR MERALCO BILLS QUESTION, ANSWERED
Getting deeper into the FACTS
Early this month, Meralco briefed media on guidelines to help customers understand bills for months affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine. After the briefing, the Daily Tribune sat down with Meralco Spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga to answer frequently asked customer questions received. The utility assured that May and June bills were already based on actual reading and that there is an installment program. Details were discussed in this q&a excerpt.
Daily Tribune (DT): My May bill is double or more than my March and April bills. Why is this so?
Meralco: Since some meters were not read during the ECQ period, some March and all April bills were estimated based on the past 3 months’ average daily consumption following the Distribution Services and Open Access Rules (DSOAR) issued by the ERC.
These past three months (December 2019, January 2020 and February 2020) were considered “low consumption” months as these were significantly cooler months compared to the summer months of March, April and May.
Aside from these, the following factors may have affected your May bill:
• Increased consumption during ECQ
More people are at home, so appliances are switched on most of the time, especially fans and aircons. Homes which have aircons would use four to eight hours per day before ECQ, and may be using it for 12 to 24 hours per day in ECQ. There is also increased use of the TV, washing machine, computer, game console, etc. Refrigerators that are full and opened more frequently will also increase consumption. • High Heat Index and temperature that will increase consumption (max so far for 2020 is at 37.3⁰C with Heat Index of 42⁰C)
When the temperature outside is high, appliances with compressors like aircons work harder. So even if you use it for the same duration, your consumption will be higher. Meralco Powerlab estimates that there is a 25 to 40% increase in electricity consumption during summer months even without increasing usage.
With increased use, the consumption goes up proportionately. Refrigerators also have compressors and are also affected, but to lesser degree.
• The addition of your March and April actual consumption versus the estimates for the same months For meters we have read, we are able to reflect in your May bill:
Your actual consumption for May
Your actual consumption for March and April less the estimates for the same months, which were based on the preceding 3 months’ daily average consumption.
DT: Do I need to pay my May bill in full?
Meralco: To help ease your bills payment, all bills due within the ECQ and MECQ period need not be paid immediately. This may be settled in 4 or 6 monthly installments, depending on your February 2020 consumption, every 15th of the month starting June 15. This is in accordance with the advisory of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and Meralco’s recent pronouncements.
DT: I did not receive my May bill, what can I expect for my June bill?
Meralco: Meralco recently released advisories to guide customers who did not receive their May bill on what to expect for June bill.
By June, Meralco was already able to read your meter, and your actual consumption during the ECQ and MECQ period will now be indicated on the June bill. This means the amount reflected is your total bill for the following months: June, May, April and for some, March. As such, it is expected that the June bill is unusually higher compared to other months when only one-month consumption is reflected.
You can check the accuracy of your consumption by referring to the consumption details at the back of your Meralco bill. Indicated there is the previous reading before ECQ and the most recent reading. Your actual consumption for the ECQ months is the difference between the two readings.
You can be assured that you are only charged for what you consumed, based on the meter readings.
DT: I received bills that indicate that these are estimated. Do I still need to pay for it?
Meralco: You may have previously received estimated bills (see ‘Additional Bill Information’ section in your bill or visit our website), kindly set them aside and just refer to your June bill.
DT: Do I need to pay for the total amount in the June bill?
Meralco: To help ease your bills payment, only one fourth (1/4) of your Current Charges in your June bill is due no earlier than June 30.
The remaining balance or three fourths (3/4) of your June bill Current Charges may be settled in 4 or 6 monthly installments, depending on your February 2020 consumption, every 15th of the month starting July 15. This is in accordance with the advisory of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and Meralco’s recent pronouncements.
DT: Can I pay for the installment earlier than the 15th of the month?
Meralco: Yes, you may pay for your installment earlier than the 15th of the month. Please bring your installment bill or use the ATM Reference Number or Meralco Reference Number found in your installment bill.