Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/987221
7 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 MAY 2018 and 5,000kWh were found to be equal to the amount payable for a 12-month pe- riod. Households using 9,000kWh were found to be paying roughly €24 extra, going up to €85 for those us- ing 10,000kWh and €251.7 in households with an albeit very high consumption of 20,000kWh. No-reading bills The second pattern con- sidered was one in which a household had an identi- cal pattern of consumption to the first, but where it re- ceived a "no-reading" bill. Some consumers have re- ported problems with no reading bills because when this happens, the consump- tion for a billing period can get added to the next billing period, resulting in a house- hold paying for the consump- tion of four months using a quota for two months. In this case, consumers were always found to be pay- ing more for their electric- ity, irrespective of how much electricity they used. Those using 2,000kWh were found to be paying €10.06, or 4.7% more, in- creasing to €114.17 or 6.7% in households with an annual consumption of 6,000kWh, and up to an extra €1,441.5 if consumption exceeds 20,000kWh in one year. Seasonally-used residences Perhaps the biggest differ- ence was noted when analys- ing a scenario in which a resi- dence is used for four months in a year. The number of residences such a consumption pattern would apply to is unclear. However, in cases where it does, the differences are sig- nificant, especially at higher levels of consumption. A 1000 kWh consumption, consumers would be paying an 6% or €7 on a €104 bill, going up to roughly €200 if €4,000kWh are used. The situation with ARMS' billing procedure is further compounded by the fact that billing periods vary according to customer as do complica- tions related to no reading bills and estimate bills. Meanwhile, ARMS has in- sisted that its billing system has not been altered since 2009 and did not suggest that it was open to introducing a refund system similar to that used for income tax calcula- tions. Both the Prime Minister and Energy minister have said that they had requested an investigation by ARMS in- to the allegations being made. ypace@mediatoday.com.mt consumption likely to electricity EXTRA COST ANNUAL COST OF PATTERN 1 PATTERN 1 PATTERN 2 PATTERN 2 PATTERN 3 PATTERN 3 CONSUMPTION CONSUMPTION (€) (%) (€) (%) (€) (%) BY LAW 2000 209.4 €1.92 0.9% €10.06 4.8% €31.20 14.9% 3000 339.2 - - €8.85 2.6% €75.98 22.4% 4000 468.87 - - €19.23 4.1% €203.94 43.5% 5000 598.8 - - €35.84 6.0% €335.81 56.1% 6000 728.6 €8.38 1.2% €114.17 15.7% €547.75 75.2% 7000 889.1393 - - €168.11 18.9% €817.84 92.0% 8000 1050 - - €229.91 21.9% €1,110.22 105.7% 9000 1210.7 €24.23 2.0% €316.45 26.1% €1,420.76 117.4% 10000 1371.23 €85.90 6.3% €432.84 31.6% €1,845.42 134.6% 12500 2226.4 - - €584.48 26.3% €2,142.04 96.2% 15000 3081.4 - - €810.24 26.3% €2,550.18 82.8% 20000 4791.4 €251.72 5.3% €1,441.56 30.1% €3,679.08 76.8% A comparative chart showing additional costs incurred depending on usage pattern Pattern 3: Consumption assuming limited use of three month period peaking in third month