Pre-payment electricity meters

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
23/05/2011 14:56

Pre-Payment Electricity Meters

It is quite common for paying guests and tenants to run up big electricity bills by unknowingly miss-using your air conditioning.

We have recently imported from the UK pre-payment electricity meters (PPEMs).

The PPEM is fitted next to the fuse box indoors.

The circuits to the a/c and the water heater are routed through the PPEM.

The guest buys cards costing £20 each and inserts them into the PPEM.

The credit is transferred to the PPEM and as electricity is used the credit is consumed. The cards are magnetic strip type and they are wiped clean when inserted as well as having holes punched in them. Cards with holes in them can not be returned for a refund.

The property manager holds the new cards and the cash from the card sales.

When you get the KibTek bill for the property you will have covered most, if not all of it, in card sales.

We have fitted quite a few of these meters and I am told they pay for themselves in one season.

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
23/05/2011 14:59

vaughan,

Can you e-mail me the prices to forward to a friend please.



Thanks

Chris

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
23/05/2011 16:23

Message 1....."The credit is transferred to the PPEM and as electricity is used the credit is consumed. The cards are magnetic strip type and they are wiped clean when inserted as well as having holes punched in them. Cards with holes in them can not be returned for a refund".



So what happens if you don't use all the £20 on the card? how then do you get a refund if you say the card with a hole in it cannot be returned for a refund.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
23/05/2011 19:56

Chris,



Will do.



dalartokat,



Cards of smaller denominations can be supplied: 1pound, 5pound, 10pound, 20pound and 50pounds.

If a guest is just about to leave and needs a small top-up, he can use one of the low denomination cards. That way he won't leave excessive credit on the meter.

birdman



Joined: 20/09/2010
Posts: 690

Message Posted:
23/05/2011 22:31

1.Can you isolate separate guest rooms or how do you know if it is the guests using the electricity or yourselves ?

2.IS THE WHOLE HOUSE ELECTRICITY CUT OFF WHEN THE CARD RUNS OUT ?

3.Is there a warning alarm when the electricity is about to run out?

4. How does the Meter /Guest know who is using the electricity?



It sounds a wonderful idea as we all know how guests can leave on the air

conditioning even when they are out for the day!



Perhaps it's use for rented out villas, then I could see no problems.



My lovely grand-children put the air conditioning on when they go to bed then use the duvets to get warm !!! LOL



Gerry

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
23/05/2011 23:53

Brilliant idea....

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
24/05/2011 05:58

Vaughan,



Thanks for the information I have now forwarded it on.



Chris

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
24/05/2011 10:40

birdman,



"1.Can you isolate separate guest rooms or how do you know if it is the guests using the electricity or yourselves ?"

You could meter the a/c in each guest bedroom if, for example, you had lodgers.

"2.IS THE WHOLE HOUSE ELECTRICITY CUT OFF WHEN THE CARD RUNS OUT ?"

It is if the whole house is routed through the meter.

"3.Is there a warning alarm when the electricity is about to run out?"

Yes. You can also draw on "emergency credit" by pushing a button, to tide you over until you can get more cards.

"4. How does the Meter /Guest know who is using the electricity?"

The meter only "knows" when current is being drawn through it. How it is wired will tell you who is using the electricity.

"Perhaps it's use for rented out villas, then I could see no problems."

Exactly the purpose it is best used for.



I know you have a small "annexe" at your address and a tenant in it could have all their power metered and buy the cards from you.

birdman



Joined: 20/09/2010
Posts: 690

Message Posted:
24/05/2011 14:00

Thanks Vaughan

Currently my small annex has its own meter which I check monthly and bill the tenant.

I will check with him if he wants a pre-paid meter as I can see the advantages for him not to have a bill at the end of each month.



Gerry

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
25/05/2011 11:42

Hi Gerry,



It may also interest you and others, that I am looking to import a pre-paid water meter, that also works on a credit-type card.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
25/05/2011 14:38

Thanks Chris.

What's your view on the water meters?

Many long lets run up big water bills as the Belediye seems reluctant to cut you off, unlike Kib Tek.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
28/05/2011 16:02

Interesting item in Cyprus Today - water bills to double.