If your home or apartment is not connected to a smart meter, there are still various ways to pay for the electricity used to run an air conditioner or any other electrical appliances. Here are some common methods:
Standard Meter: Most homes and apartments are equipped with standard electric meters. These meters are read manually by a utility company representative at regular intervals, usually once a month. The readings are used to calculate your electricity consumption, and you will be billed accordingly based on the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) used.
Estimated Billing: In some cases, if it's not possible to access the meter for reading, the utility company may estimate your electricity consumption based on historical data or an average usage profile. Once the meter is accessible again, the actual reading is taken, and any discrepancies between the estimate and actual usage are adjusted in the subsequent billing cycles.
Prepaid Meters: Some places offer prepaid electricity meters. With these, you purchase electricity credits in advance, like topping up a mobile phone with credit. As you use electricity, the credit is deducted from your balance. When your balance gets low, you'll need to recharge the meter to continue using electricity.
Submetering: In certain apartments or rental units, the landlord or property management company may have installed individual submeters for each unit. In such cases, the utility bills are sent directly to the tenants based on their individual usage, often through the landlord or a third-party billing company.
Shared Utilities: In shared living arrangements, such as shared apartments or multifamily buildings, the electricity bill may be split among the residents based on predetermined ratios or allocations, rather than individual meter readings.
It's important to understand the billing arrangement for your specific living situation. If you're unsure how your electricity consumption is being measured and billed, you can contact your utility provider or landlord for clarification. Regularly checking your meter readings and keeping track of your electricity usage can also help you manage your energy consumption and anticipate your billing amounts.