Wednesday 1 July 2009

Koh Samui Electricity Costs

In these troublesome economic days it is worth looking at how money can be saved in running your home. Apart from the “green – environmental” issues, which I do not dismiss but are not the theme of this article, it is what can be done to reduce monthly running costs? The main bill we get on a monthly basis is for electricity and often the one that produces the highest number of complaints, particularly on managed developments. Taking your electrical supply direct from the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) for single phase supply the basic charge depends on your contract. Because many properties are owned under company names the supply rate is that of a Small Business. As most people use more than 150 kWh per month there is in practice no difference to the Residential Rate. Usage as measured by the meter is then multiplied by the appropriate rate and to this is added a fuel cost factor – this varies from time to time based on the cost of production such as oil prices – and is currently 0.9255 Baht per unit. Add VAT @ 7% and that is the total bill. Fairly basic stuff.

For an average bill the gross unit rate will work out at between about 3.30 and 3.60 Baht per unit. Many developments and some individual houses have 3-Phase supply. This is calculated in pretty much the same way but the bill is more complicated because there are different readings for Peak Hours and Off Peak Hours supply yet for most properties the rate is the same unless an option for “Time of Use” metering has been taken, but once taken you cannot switch back to Normal Rate metering. The current basic rate for Normal Use is Baht 2.4649/unit. Added to this is a Service Charge of Baht 228 a fuel surcharge - 0.9255 Baht per unit and VAT. The final unit rate works out at about Baht 3.75.

Why then people ask do managed developments often charge higher unit prices? There are a couple of reasons for this. The main one is the loss on distribution. Power is transmitted to the main transformer on site and then distributed to the various properties. Between the transformer and the properties there will be a loss. The transformer may receive say 1000 kWh but the total measured in the property meters may only show 950 kWh. The difference is the distribution loss and needs to be apportioned between the properties. So, one property may show a meter reading of say 200 kWh which at Baht 3.30/kWh would cost 660 Baht but also has to share 200/1000 of 50 kWh or an additional 10 Baht increasing the unit charge to 3.35/kWh.
There are other charges which often come into the equation. Transformers need maintenance and these costs are frequently allocated as a cost on the electricity bill. Whether they are allocated as a proportion of properties supplied or apportioned according to usage is a matter for the management contract. The wires from the transformer may also need attention from time to time and these costs need to be apportioned as well. Transformers and wiring do have life spans and at some time will need replacing so it is not unusual to see a sinking fund built in to the costs to provide future capital for renewal.

Finally there is a cost for the management of these issues. Someone has to check the meters, calculate the bills and collect the money. This is usually provided for as a percentage of the total bill.

Different projects carry out these allocations in different ways. Some include the costs as described above whilst others separate out managements and sinking funds costs. It is therefore important to know how these costs are dealt with in the management or service contract that is signed on purchasing a property.

Reverting to how I started this article. Identifying the big energy users in your home and controlling them sensibly can make a big difference to your energy bills. There are obvious savings to be made by controlling the use of air conditioning both in the hours it is run and the temperature it is set at. Surprisingly a not so obvious high user of power is a pool pump which can easily use 1,500 kWh per year which alone can add Baht 500 a month to your bill. Reducing the cycle time for the pump to the minimum required to keep the water clean can save money. Refrigerators are the next biggest user of electricity so minimising the time the door is left open will help. Simple things such as leaving the television on standby will use about 5kWh per month. The table top water boilers seen everywhere are extremely inefficient in normal use as they continually boil water even when not required. Energy saving lights benefit in operating at a lower temperature so reducing cooling requirements but also produce the same amount of light using far less power – 20-30% less than standard light bulbs. The initial costs are greater but with lifetimes of 8 to 15 times standard incandescent light bulbs they have significant cost benefits. They are not however trouble free. They do not re-act well to being switched on and off in a short space of time and this can lead to a significantly shorter lifespan – as much as an 85% reduction. These bulbs also contain Mercury which can complicate their safe disposal.

Saving money or just being “Green” – it is up to you.

Another comment on Foreign Exchange. Buy Baht here. In the last month I have checked the exchange rates being offered by UK banks and the Post Office against rates quoted by the banks here. As an example on 12th June the Post Office was offering Baht 52.3653 for one Pound and Nat West would only have given you Baht 50.4410. Siam Commercial Bank would have given Baht 54.58875 for notes and Baht 55.57 for Telegraphic Transfers.

A visiting land Officer in Phuket made a rather controversial statement that Thai Spouses owning land on behalf of their foreign husbands was not allowed and in such cases the land title would be with drawn. This obviously caused alarm which was unnecessary as the statement was made in clear contravention of a Supreme Court Ruling in 1999 that provided the funds used to purchase the land were solely the property of the Thai spouse then such ownership was legal. This is why a joint declaration to that effect is required where land is being purchased by a Thai spouse. Further clarification has been made by the Land Office and is reproduced below confirming this.

And property prices continue to fall! If you check our web site and look at the Hot Press Offers you will see a great number of properties with prices that have been reduced from between 15% and 50% with an average reduction of 34%. These reductions are now beginning to produce sales and, although still not many, there are a few more buyers around than there were a few weeks ago. NEW REDUCTIONS EVERY MONTH!

If you would like to receive the full monthly Newsletter, or require advice on acquiring property in Thailand please send me an email at hbonning@kosamuiproperties.com

33 comments:

  1. This is really interesting, You're a very skilled blogger. I've joined your feed
    and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent
    post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!
    Feel free to visit my website how to buy a house when you have bad credit

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great weblog here! Additionally your web site lots up very
    fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your affiliate link on your host?

    I want my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
    Also visit my page - web site

    ReplyDelete
  3. bookmarked!!, I really like your site!
    Also visit my blog :: low rate student loan consolidation

    ReplyDelete
  4. I will immediately grasp your rss feed as I can't to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly allow me recognise so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
    Here is my weblog :: work at home home

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very nice article, exactly what I was looking for.
    Take a look at my blog : wo bekomme ich einen kredit trotz negativer schufa

    ReplyDelete
  6. My relatives every time say that I am wasting my time here at web,
    however I know I am getting know-how all the time by reading thes good posts.
    Here is my site Krankenversicherung Kosten

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great delivery. Great arguments. Keep up the great work.
    Feel free to surf my page private gesetzliche krankenkasse

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm really loving the theme/design of your blog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A few of my blog audience have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any advice to help fix this problem?
    Have a look at my webpage ... home mortgage rates

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, I desire to subscribe for this webpage to get most up-to-date updates, so
    where can i do it please help.
    My page :: cpanel reseller web hosting

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your method of explaining all in this article is actually nice, every one be capable
    of effortlessly know it, Thanks a lot.

    my web page - krankenversicherungen münchen

    ReplyDelete
  11. Everything is very open with a precise clarification of the
    challenges. It was truly informative. Your website is extremely helpful.
    Thank you for sharing!

    Also visit my web-site: mortgage rates refinance
    my web site: bad credit car Refinance

    ReplyDelete
  12. wonderful submit, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don't notice this. You must proceed your writing. I am confident, you have a great readers' base
    already!

    Stop by my web site :: beiträge Zur krankenversicherung

    ReplyDelete
  13. you are actually a good webmaster. The website loading velocity is amazing.
    It seems that you're doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you have done a excellent job in this matter!

    Look at my web site ... great business ideas for 2011

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO?
    I'm trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I'm not seeing very good results.
    If you know of any please share. Appreciate it!


    My page - fashion online shop güNstig

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fantastic site. Plenty of helpful information here.
    I am sending it to a few buddies ans also sharing in delicious.
    And naturally, thank you to your sweat!

    Feel free to visit my blog ... bad credit home Loan score

    ReplyDelete
  16. After exploring a handful of the blog articles on your site,
    I really like your technique of blogging. I saved it
    to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future.
    Take a look at my website too and let me know your opinion.


    Here is my web-site anzüge outlet online

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sweet blog! I found it while searching on Yahoo News.
    Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?

    I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Cheers

    Have a look at my page: welche krankenkasse ist die günstigste

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi there, I discovered your blog by the use of Google even as searching for a related topic, your web site came up, it seems
    good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, just changed into alert to your blog through Google, and found that it is
    really informative. I'm going to be careful for brussels. I'll appreciate should you continue this in future.

    Lots of folks might be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

    Stop by my blog post ... computer business ideas

    ReplyDelete
  19. hello!,I really like your writing very a lot! percentage we
    keep in touch more approximately your post on
    AOL? I require an expert on this space to solve my problem.

    Maybe that's you! Having a look forward to peer you.

    Feel free to visit my website; businesses from home

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hmm it looks like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog.
    I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I'm still new to the whole thing. Do you have any helpful hints for inexperienced blog writers? I'd certainly appreciate it.


    Here is my homepage money making opportunity

    ReplyDelete
  21. Terrific work! This is the kind of information that are meant to be shared
    around the web. Disgrace on Google for not positioning this put
    up higher! Come on over and talk over with my web site .
    Thanks =)

    Also visit my web page ... basistarif private Krankenversicherung

    ReplyDelete
  22. Asking questions are in fact fastidious thing if you are not understanding anything totally, except this article presents nice understanding yet.


    Also visit my webpage Read �

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hello there, I found your web site by way of Google at the same time as searching for
    a comparable topic, your website came up, it
    seems to be good. I've bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    Hi there, just was alert to your weblog via Google, and found that it is truly informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate should you proceed this in future. Many other people can be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    my homepage - Les Russell

    ReplyDelete
  24. I just could not leave your web site before
    suggesting that I really loved the usual info an individual supply for your visitors?
    Is going to be again continuously to check out new posts

    My homepage ... refinance home mortgage

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi, after reading this awesome piece of writing i am too glad to share my know-how here with mates.


    My web blog; vorteile einer privaten krankenversicherung

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi, after reading this awesome piece of writing i am
    too glad to share my know-how here with mates.



    Feel free to surf to my web page; vorteile einer privaten krankenversicherung
    Also see my page :: Günstige Krankenkassen

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually realize what you are
    speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also consult with my site =).
    We can have a link trade arrangement between us

    Here is my web-site :: 2012 entrepreneur ideas

    ReplyDelete
  28. I couldn't resist commenting. Perfectly written!

    Feel free to visit my blog post :: liquid vitamin
    my web page - vitamin d benefits depression

    ReplyDelete
  29. Excellent blog here! Additionally your web site so
    much up very fast! What host are you the use of?
    Can I get your affiliate hyperlink in your host?
    I want my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

    my site: Felicia Bret

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it's rare to see a nice
    blog like this one nowadays.

    my website; repossessed sea ray boats for sale

    ReplyDelete
  31. Cool blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
    A design like yours with a few simple adjustements
    would really make my blog shine. Please let me know
    where you got your design. Cheers

    Look at my site formal dinnerware

    ReplyDelete
  32. Amazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one!
    It's on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!

    Also visit my blog post Konannavi.org/wiki/index.php?title=Wonderful_Medical_Health_Insurance_Suggest_That_Won_t_Expense_An_Left_Arm_And_A_Lower_Leg

    ReplyDelete
  33. check these guys out these details useful reference you can try here get redirected here go to my site

    ReplyDelete