Electrical
Why Is My Electricity Bill So High? Causes and Fixes
Short answer
A high bill usually comes from a few large loads running for many hours: water heating, electric cooking, air conditioning, old fridges and pumps. Find the culprits by checking the meter at set times, measuring appliances with a plug-in energy meter and checking for faults or leaks to earth. Higher consumption bands also cost more per unit, so cutting big loads saves the most.
Common causes
- Water heating: a geyser heating 100 litres uses about 4 kWh each time.
- Electric cooking and kettles: heating appliances draw 1 to 3 kW.
- Air conditioning and heaters.
- Old fridges and freezers with worn seals or faulty thermostats.
- Borehole or booster pumps that run too often.
- Standby loads such as decoders, chargers and old electronics.
- Electrical faults and earth leakage that waste power.
- Estimated or wrongly read bills and meter errors.
Find the cause in four steps
- Switch off everything and see whether the meter still moves. If it does, there may be a fault or a forgotten load.
- Read the meter at the same time for several days to see daily use.
- Measure suspect appliances with a plug-in energy meter.
- Have an electrician test for earth leakage and loose connections. See earthing and RCDs.
Fixes that pay off
Add timers and insulation to the geyser, or switch to a solar water heater. Replace failing appliances, use LED lighting and consider solar for daytime loads. Our guide to reducing your bill lists ten practical steps.
Common questions
Why did my bill suddenly jump?
Common reasons are a new appliance, more people at home, a faulty appliance, a leak to earth, or a billing or meter error. Check meter readings against the bill.
Can a fault make my bill higher?
Yes. Faulty insulation or appliances can waste power. An electrician can test for it.
What should I do if I think the meter is wrong?
Compare your readings to the bill and contact Kenya Power to request a meter check.