FAQ
TL;DR: Snapshot: UK 2019 home electricity was 16.2 p/kWh; “we’re no longer tied to the local monopoly power co.” Use your bill’s fixed and per‑kWh lines to compare. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682096]
Why it matters: For homeowners, makers, and energy tinkerers comparing tariffs worldwide to cut bills and plan projects.
Quick Facts
- UK example: 16.2 p/kWh electricity, 3.6 p/kWh gas, plus £86/year standing charge. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682096]
- Alabama residential: $14.50 base charge; $0.102269/kWh first 750 kWh, then $0.090269/kWh. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682097]
- Washington State tiers: $9 basic; 7.533¢/kWh first 800, 8.765¢ next 700, 10.276¢ over 1500. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682112]
- Australia example: A$127/month supply; A$0.31/kWh main, A$0.15/kWh special ~10% usage. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682103]
- New Zealand: ~NZ$1/day fixed, ~NZ$0.23/kWh usage, ~NZ$0.08/kWh solar credit. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682108]
What were UK home energy prices in the thread’s snapshot?
The UK poster paid 16.2 p/kWh for electricity and 3.6 p/kWh for gas, plus £86/year standing charges. They could switch national suppliers, but rates were broadly similar. This provides a baseline for 2019 comparisons when benchmarking projects or device power costs. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682096]
How do Alabama residential electricity rates and base charges work?
One Alabama bill listed a $14.50 monthly base charge. Energy cost was $0.102269/kWh for the first 750 kWh, then $0.090269/kWh above 750 kWh. To estimate a bill, multiply usage in each tier by its rate and add the base charge. This tiered model rewards lower consumption. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682097]
Is the base charge in Alabama monthly?
Yes. A respondent confirmed the base charge is monthly. It’s separate from per‑kWh charges and similar to fixed service fees on water or sewer. Track it because fixed fees can erode savings from low usage or solar exports. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682099]
What did an actual Huntsville, Alabama electric bill look like?
A Huntsville bill showed $158.91 for 1,555 kWh, or about $0.10/kWh effective before taxes and other services. The same household used natural gas for heating, cooking, and hot water, illustrating mixed‑fuel homes where electricity and gas both matter for total energy cost. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682100]
How do I convert natural‑gas cubic feet to kWh like on a UK bill?
Use: ft³ × 2.83 × calorific value (e.g., 39.4) × volume correction (e.g., 1.02264) ÷ 3.6. A poster’s example converted 312 ft³ to 9,882 kWh using that method. Quote: “The UK Gov’t regs behind this calculation are here.” Check your supplier’s CV and factor. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682101]
What does time‑of‑use (TOU) pricing look like in Ontario?
An Ontario bill showed TOU winter rates: On‑Peak 12.2¢/kWh (122.09 kWh), Mid‑Peak 9.4¢/kWh (86.44 kWh), Off‑Peak 6.5¢/kWh (427.48 kWh), plus Delivery and Regulatory line items, sales tax, and an 8% rebate. Equal billing and load‑shedding options also exist. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682107]
How high can fixed charges run in Australia?
One Australian user reported A$127 per month supply charge. Usage was A$0.31/kWh for most consumption and A$0.15/kWh on a special tariff for about 10% of power. Discounts up to 25% may be time‑limited, so check expiry dates. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682103]
What are typical New Zealand home electricity charges and solar credits?
A New Zealand poster cited about NZ$1/day fixed charge and NZ$0.23/kWh usage. Their solar feed‑in credit was around NZ$0.08/kWh. They noted deregulated retail markets, optional ripple‑control tariffs, and bundle deals with gas or internet. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682108]
How do Washington State tiered rates compare?
An example tariff listed a $9 monthly basic charge. Energy: 7.533¢/kWh for the first 800 kWh, 8.765¢ for the next 700 kWh, and 10.276¢ over 1,500 kWh. Natural gas had separate basic and per‑therm charges. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682112]
What’s an extreme case for electricity price and reliability in the thread?
A South Sudan town powered by a diesel generator charged about $0.50 per kWh, with supply available only a quarter of the time. Edge case: Planning critical loads without storage can fail when uptime is 25%. Solar systems were deployed to cover outages. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682113]
How can I estimate my monthly bill on a tiered plan?
Quick method: 1) Find your kWh. 2) Split usage across tiers. 3) Multiply and add fixed fees. Example using a Washington plan: 1,600 kWh costs 800×$0.07533 + 700×$0.08765 + 100×$0.10276 + $9 basic. This yields an estimate before taxes and riders. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682112]
Can UK customers switch electricity suppliers to save money?
Yes. A UK poster wrote, “we’re no longer tied to the local monopoly power co. and can switch national suppliers,” and noted services that auto‑switch to the cheapest tariff. Always compare unit rates and standing charges together. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682096]
What’s an example of a combined utility bill with multiple services?
One Alabama bill bundled Gas, Electric, Trash, and Tax on a single statement. The electric portion was about $0.10/kWh effective for that month. Bundled billing can hide line‑item changes; track each service separately for trend analysis. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682100]
Where can I learn the end‑to‑end path from fuel to socket (CCGT plant)?
A poster shared a detailed, web‑enabled walkthrough of a 600 MW combined‑cycle gas turbine station, from North Sea gas to home outlets, based on UK architecture and noting US differences. “That’s a GREAT article,” replied another user. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682105]
Do gas turbines need special starters?
Yes. A participant clarified that the static starting device is needed for gas turbines, not for steam turbines. This matters when understanding plant startup systems and auxiliary power demands in generation design. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682109]
