Why Your Electricity Prepaid Meter Units Exhaust Fast and What to Do
Why Your Electricity Prepaid Meter Units Exhaust Fast and What to Do
Many Nigerians who use electricity prepaid meters often complain that their units finish faster than expected. You load ₦5,000 or even ₦10,000, and within a short time, the units are gone. This situation can be frustrating, especially when you feel you are not using so many appliances. If you are facing this issue, there are real reasons behind it, and knowing what to do can help you save money and power.
Common Reasons Why Prepaid Units Exhaust Quickly
There are several factors that make prepaid units finish fast, ranging from household habits to technical issues with appliances or wiring. Below are the main causes:
- High Power Consumption Appliances: Devices like electric irons, water heaters, pressing irons, and freezers consume a lot of power. Even a short usage of these can drain your units quickly.
- Faulty Wiring or Leakages: Poor wiring or electrical leakages in your home can secretly “steal” power and make your meter run fast even when you switch off appliances.
- Tariff Zone or Band: Your electricity tariff band (A–E) determines how much you are charged per kilowatt-hour (kWh). People in Band A pay higher tariffs than those in Band D or E. So, if your area falls in a higher tariff zone, units finish faster.
- Hidden Appliances: Devices like decoders, phone chargers, and smart TVs consume power even when on standby. This is called phantom load or vampire energy.
- Old or Faulty Appliances: Outdated refrigerators, air conditioners, or ceiling fans may consume more power than newer, energy-efficient models.
How to Check If Your Prepaid Meter Is Running Fast
If you suspect that your prepaid meter runs faster than normal, you can test it by switching off all appliances and watching if the meter still counts down. If units still reduce when nothing is connected, you may have an electrical leakage or faulty meter that requires checking.
What You Can Do to Save Electricity Units
Now that you know why prepaid units can finish faster, here are practical steps you can take:
- Unplug Appliances When Not in Use: Don’t just switch off from the remote—unplug devices like decoders, fans, and TVs when not needed.
- Monitor High-Power Devices: Limit the use of pressing irons, water heaters, and electric cookers. Instead of ironing daily, iron in bulk to reduce usage.
- Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances: Modern LED bulbs, inverter ACs, and efficient refrigerators save more power compared to old models.
- Check Your Tariff Band: Know your DISCO tariff band and confirm if the rate matches your bill. If wrongly placed in a higher band, report to your electricity provider.
- Fix Electrical Faults: Call a certified electrician to check for wiring leakages, loose connections, or bypassed wires.
- Use Prepaid Monitoring Apps: Some DISCOs offer mobile apps that show your real-time usage. This can help you track what consumes the most units.
Practical Home Energy-Saving Tips
Beyond fixing technical problems, you can reduce prepaid unit consumption with smart lifestyle changes:
- Switch off lights during the day; rely on natural sunlight.
- Use rechargeable fans and lamps at night instead of running AC or big bulbs.
- Cook with gas instead of electric cookers to save cost.
- Set your freezer to the right cooling level—too low settings waste units.
- Iron clothes at once instead of multiple times in a week.
Read also:
Why Most Nigerians Fail at Saving and How to Fix It
When to Report to Your Electricity Provider
If after all adjustments your prepaid units still run down very fast, it might be a technical fault from your meter. In such a case, you should:
- Document your consumption pattern (daily unit reduction).
- Take meter readings with pictures as evidence.
- Report the case to your electricity distribution company (DISCO).
- Request for a meter test or replacement if the fault is confirmed.
Some DISCOs also wrongly configure meters, leading to excess charges. Always confirm your meter settings when first installed.
Final Thoughts
Prepaid meters don’t lie, but they reveal the truth about your energy use. If your units finish too fast, it’s either due to high energy-consuming devices, faulty wiring, or tariff rates. By identifying the real cause and applying smart energy-saving practices, you can make your prepaid units last longer and avoid unnecessary spending. Remember: the key is not only to complain but also to monitor, adjust, and act on the root cause.
Read also:
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