Utility bills (2)

Why Have the winter utility bills been calculated as an estimate on the summer meter readings, and not on actual readings?

This will result in the consumer paying a higher bill, as in summer the consumption is lower than in winter, especially as this very cold winter imposed the use of heaters.

The winter bill calculated on the summer readings is worked out on a 55 per cent fuel surcharge. Now the bills worked out on the new readings will be calculated on a 67 per cent fuel surcharge, so this would result in paying for the units consumed this winter at an extra cost of 12 per cent.

The system of only having two readings a year is not practical. Enemalta should introduce pay-per-use by means of a smart card or through Internet top-ups. This way the consumer would be paying a fair, exact price for consumption.

It would also help Enemalta reduce the expense of having to send out employees to carry out readings, and this new system would also avoid bills in arrears.