According to the alternative energy supplier Octopus Energy, each household pays on average around twenty euros too much.
An undersized electric meter and leads that blow when too many electrical devices are plugged in at the same time. But what happens otherwise? Nothing, except paying too much for a subscription for a service that the subscriber doesn’t really need. According to alternative energy supplier Octopus Energy, more than one in two French people pay too much for their electricity meter. “Every year, this represents more than 300 million euros lost by the French», Estimates the supplier. In other words, for the households concerned this represents an additional annual cost of around twenty euros on average.
The power of a meter is expressed in kilovolt-amperes (kVA). “The difference between 12 kVA and 9 kVA subscriptions is approximately €3.40 per month. Or 40.8 euros per year”illustrates Lancelot d’Hauthuille, general manager of Octopus Energy France, announcing the launch of Opti’Compteur, a service open to all consumers and intended to help them define the power level suited to their needs. For the supplier, it is also a good way to enrich its contact base! An alternative exists: do the calculation yourself. EDF gives the methodology on its site, but it can be laborious. You must add the electrical power of all electrical devices likely to be operating at the same time.
Do not confuse the power of the meter and that of the subscription
In addition, the power of the Linky meter in no way determines that of the subscription. “If in doubt, it is preferable to opt for the three-phase 36 kVA meter; nothing prevents you from subsequently subscribing to a 12, 9 or even 6 kVA subscription», souligne HelloWatt. «In France, around 70% of homes have a meter power of 6 kVA», according to EDF, which also recommends “implement eco-friendly actions to reduce your consumption and limit your power needs. For example, you can turn off sleeping devices. In fact, these invisible consumptions affect your energy bill. This eco-responsible gesture allows for up to 10% energy savings, according to ADEME».
