Regarding the article on this website "Prepaid Electricity in Indonesia: A guide to PLN’s prabayar system"

[Samoerai]

In this article it says: "For postpaid electricity, there is a minimum monthly amount charged.". In Holland we also have a paying model similar to this 'postpaid model'. But in Holland, after one year, you will get a annual bill. In this bill you can see the total amount of electricity consumed in one year and the total amount of money you have to pay according to the electricity consumed. And therefore you will have to pay extra (on top of the monthly minimum amount charged) or you will get money back (because you paid too much). Is this also the case in Indonesia: "Will you get an annual bill? With the same procedure of paying extra or getting money back? I ask this because in this article I miss this information.

 

[snpark]

No

 

[Nicho]

Don't know about other parts of Indonesia but here in South East Java , Banyuwangi region everyone buys credit/pulsar when needed , 50,000rp (Approx $5 Australian ) buys about 32 kw's of electricity , you get a receipt and enter 20 digit number into the key pad on your meter and the new amount gets added to any remaining credit , Kw's . . Depending on what appliances , how many lights etc you have it can last a week or a month . Most houses run on 450 or 900 watt supply . Useless if you've got a few appliances and want to run a power tool . Common here to use speaker wire for all circuits ,power/lights and they wonder why houses burn down , wires burn out . There bad for leaving chargers plugged in and just removing whatever they charge , been several children/babies electrocuted , fires . You can upgrade to more wattage , 1200w , 2400w , 3200w , have 3 core cable , seperate circuits for power and lights , circuit breakers , RCD's etc at your own cost .

 

[Samoerai]

Don't know about other parts of Indonesia but here in South East Java , Banyuwangi region everyone buys credit/pulsar when needed , 50,000rp (Approx $5 Australian ) buys about 32 kw's of electricity , you get a receipt and enter 20 digit number into the key pad on your meter and the new amount gets added to any remaining credit , Kw's . . Depending on what appliances , how many lights etc you have it can last a week or a month . Most houses run on 450 or 900 watt supply . Useless if you've got a few appliances and want to run a power tool . Common here to use speaker wire for all circuits ,power/lights and they wonder why houses burn down , wires burn out . There bad for leaving chargers plugged in and just removing whatever they charge , been several children/babies electrocuted , fires . You can upgrade to more wattage , 1200w , 2400w , 3200w , have 3 core cable , seperate circuits for power and lights , circuit breakers , RCD's etc at your own cost .

Thanks, useful information about the Watt supplies and what is common. Seems you have a prepaid model in place. I will be living in Tangerang soon, at a newly built house from a project developer, where according to the specification I will have a 2200 Watt installation. I wonder if that is sufficient for a normal operation at home: fridge, laundry machine, couple of AC's and 3 instant heaters (warm water). Also, a postpaid electrical model will be in place, which I can not change. Hence, my question(s) in this forum. Because I am not sure what that exactly means: postpaid model.

 

[gemima]

Thanks, useful information about the Watt supplies and what is common. Seems you have a prepaid model in place. I will be living in Tangerang soon, at a newly built house from a project developer, where according to the specification I will have a 2200 Watt installation. I wonder if that is sufficient for a normal operation at home: fridge, laundry machine, couple of AC's and 3 instant heaters (warm water). Also, a postpaid electrical model will be in place, which I can not change. Hence, my question(s) in this forum. Because I am not sure what that exactly means: postpaid model.

Isn't postpaid the normal bill pay model - you use the electricity and then get a bill after. The opposite of pre-paying where you need to put tokens into the system to get the electricity.

 

[Samoerai]

Isn't postpaid the normal bill pay model - you use the electricity and then get a bill after. The opposite of pre-paying where you need to put tokens into the system to get the electricity.

According to the article and PLN a prepaid model, now-a-days, is implemented (because of the problem of many unpaid bills regarding postpaid model)

 

[HappyMan]

Isn't postpaid the normal bill pay model - you use the electricity and then get a bill after. The opposite of pre-paying where you need to put tokens into the system to get the electricity.

I see prepaid almost everywhere.

 

[Balifrog]

I see prepaid almost everywhere.

Makes it much easier for the electricity company (in any country)

No need to have staff roaming the villages checking meters, no administrative hassle with issuing bills and following up on their payment, no more unpaid bills....

HUGE savings !

 

[snpark]

not just huge savings but also you dont lose anything from the non payment of bills

I dread to think of an indonesia where you have to get money from a household AFTER they have consumed a month of electricity

Far easier as you said to pre pay like pulsa

 

[Samoerai]

not just huge savings but also you dont lose anything from the non payment of bills

I dread to think of an indonesia where you have to get money from a household AFTER they have consumed a month of electricity

Far easier as you said to pre pay like pulsa

From the perspective of PLN a prepaid model is cost-effective, as you said. From the consumer it has also the benefit of: you take control over 'what you want to spend on electricity'.

 

[Brian86]

I will be living in Tangerang soon, at a newly built house from a project developer, where according to the specification I will have a 2200 Watt installation. I wonder if that is sufficient for a normal operation at home: fridge, laundry machine, couple of AC's and 3 instant heaters (warm water).

A single 1PK AC can draw about 1000 watts and an electric instant hot water heater typically draws 3000-6000 watts. The electric water heaters with a small internal tank are available in low wattage models about 200-500 watts, but most are 800-1500 watts.

2200 watt will not be enough for even a single instant hot water heater, nor enough for two 1PK ACs plus the other things on like fridge, lights, and chargers. A couple 1/2PK ACs and an electric water heater with tank may work much of the time, but occasionally flip the breaker depending how hard the ACs are working and other appliances.

I hope it is clear from the above that 2200 watts is certainly not sufficient for comfortable living with those appliances. As long as you are changing it is only a one time expense so go as high as you can, which may be 5500 watts. And check the power draw specifications for the hot water heaters, if they are the instant type they may be a poor choice even with 5500 watts available.

 

[Samoerai]

A single 1PK AC can draw about 1000 watts and an electric instant hot water heater typically draws 3000-6000 watts. The electric water heaters with a small internal tank are available in low wattage models about 200-500 watts, but most are 800-1500 watts.

2200 watt will not be enough for even a single instant hot water heater, nor enough for two 1PK ACs plus the other things on like fridge, lights, and chargers. A couple 1/2PK ACs and an electric water heater with tank may work much of the time, but occasionally flip the breaker depending how hard the ACs are working and other appliances.

I hope it is clear from the above that 2200 watts is certainly not sufficient for comfortable living with those appliances. As long as you are changing it is only a one time expense so go as high as you can, which may be 5500 watts. And check the power draw specifications for the hot water heaters, if they are the instant type they may be a poor choice even with 5500 watts available.

Many thanks Brian86 for the explanation. Very insightful. My plan was to install at least 1 instant water heater. In Holland its is recommended to buy a water heater of at least of 15kW (=15.000 watts), which should provide 8 liter warm water per minute (starting with water of average 10 degrees Celsius). So, I was wondering what the recommendation is, here in Indonesia, because the water starts here not at 10 degrees Celsius, right? What type of instant heater is recommended here for a comfortable shower of 8 liters per minute at 38 degrees Celsius? Also, as you already mention, if I choose a instant water heater of 6000 watts (wondering if that is sufficient for a comfortable shower) then it already draws more than the electrical installation at home (when I change that to 5500 watts). So, what should I do? Do you have any advice? Regarding electrical installation at home? Is 5500 watts the maximum you can get at home, in Indonesia? Should PLN do these changes from 2200 Watts to 5500 Watts? What is the downsize of these changes, by the way? Does anyone in Indonesia has a instant water heater at home, if it is a poor choice, as you say? Thanks in advance.

 

[Brian86]

What type of instant heater is recommended here for a comfortable shower of 8 liters per minute at 38 degrees Celsius?

LPG is a better choice if you want an instant (tankless) water heater in Indonesia. If you specifically want electric, an electric system using 1000-2000w with an insulated tank would be a better choice.

Is 5500 watts the maximum you can get at home, in Indonesia? Should PLN do these changes from 2200 Watts to 5500 Watts? What is the downsize of these changes, by the way?

5500w was the highest that was offered to me, perhaps higher is available on special request or under an industry designation. Make sure the wiring in the home is appropriately sized for these large loads as well; the builder may have used small wiring throughout the home in expectation of only 2200w being used. The only downside of upgrading to higher wattage is the one time expense of changing, and PLN sometimes offers promo to get it done cheaper or even free. The cost per kWh remains the same.

 

[Samoerai]

LPG is a better choice if you want an instant (tankless) water heater in Indonesia. If you specifically want electric, an electric system using 1000-2000w with an insulated tank would be a better choice.

5500w was the highest that was offered to me, perhaps higher is available on special request or under an industry designation. Make sure the wiring in the home is appropriately sized for these large loads as well; the builder may have used small wiring throughout the home in expectation of only 2200w being used. The only downside of upgrading to higher wattage is the one time expense of changing, and PLN sometimes offers promo to get it done cheaper or even free. The cost per kWh remains the same.

I see. Then I prefer to switch to a electric water heater with a tank (1000-1500 watts). And upgrading the system to 5500 watts, as you did. That should fit my needs. Thanks Brian86!

 

[Balifrog]

I see. Then I prefer to switch to a electric water heater with a tank (1000-1500 watts). And upgrading the system to 5500 watts, as you did. That should fit my needs. Thanks Brian86!

If the power supply is an issue, use a gas water heater. Installed outside the house of course for safety reasons. That's what we have in our Bali place.
Keep your electric power for A/C, fridge, oven, micro wave, deep fryer, etc as those can not be gas powered.
And honestly we have a water heater here in Bali, just as a "luxury". In the jungle house the water comes straight from the well, and the temperature is very bearable although sometimes slightly uncomfortable. But I make a point of showing it doesn't bother me....
Same as we have no A/C in the Java village. When we build my "man's cave" adjacent to the Missus house, she asked if I wanted a A/C and a private bathroom. My answer was "NO, if I decided to stay with you I can live like you"
Well, except for the food......
But I admit, I never stay longer than 10 days. Main reason ? "Noise pollution", if you see what I mean

 

[Samoerai]

If the power supply is an issue, use a gas water heater. Installed outside the house of course for safety reasons. That's what we have in our Bali place.
Keep your electric power for A/C, fridge, oven, micro wave, deep fryer, etc as those can not be gas powered.
And honestly we have a water heater here in Bali, just as a "luxury". In the jungle house the water comes straight from the well, and the temperature is very bearable although sometimes slightly uncomfortable. But I make a point of showing it doesn't bother me....
Same as we have no A/C in the Java village. When we build my "man's cave" adjacent to the Missus house, she asked if I wanted a A/C and a private bathroom. My answer was "NO, if I decided to stay with you I can live like you"
Well, except for the food......
But I admit, I never stay longer than 10 days. Main reason ? "Noise pollution", if you see what I mean

Thanks, I admit, it's a puzzle. One only have so much watts at ones disposal at home. How you gonna use it? I wonder how others cracked that puzzle, as I see many homes in Indonesia where they have more than one AC and water heaters in one or more 'kamar mandi'.

 

[Balifrog]

Thanks, I admit, it's a puzzle. One only have so much watts at ones disposal at home. How you gonna use it? I wonder how others cracked that puzzle, as I see many homes in Indonesia where they have more than one AC and water heaters in one or more 'kamar mandi'.

In Bali we live in a resort, a 2 storey bungalow, at our "pensioners" age and with our lifestyle it satisfies us. That could be the subject of a separate topic.
Of course this being a holiday resort, things haven't been calculated for "permanent" living there.
Power is limited, but is easy to handle. No way you can switch on the downstairs AC, upstairs AC, oven, water boiling pot at the same time .....
But it is easy to manage, I mean you don't have the AC in the living room on same time as in the bedroom, you don't need to have the oven and the microwave on at the same moment, etc ....
We have fridge, TV (NEVER on, except to watch my fav music bands on Youtube), 2 AC, water kettle, microwave, oven, air fryer, plus the usual gadgets. Not to forget the Christmas tree in December.
It happens about once a month we make a mistake in our "energy management" and trip the breaker... easy, switch something off and there you go again.

 

[Brian86]

It will also help to have inverter ACs. Older ACs can only run the compressor at full power or off, so to hold a temperature they must cycle from 50w to 1000w every few minutes, if you have several ACs like this cycle on at the same time, you can easily overload the breaker.

Inverter ACs can run the compressor at lower wattage continually, so in order to hold a temperature it may be running 500w continuously, rather than cycling 50-1000-50-1000. Much fewer problems overloading the breaker and reduces it eliminates the need to go turn off one AC so you can turn on a different AC or water kettle.

Plus the inverter technology is just more efficient for a cheaper power bill. Insulation and properly sized ACs for their rooms will also help things run smoothly.

 

[Samoerai]

It's a puzzle, yes. Maybe, some expert in this field could write an article.

 

[Samoerai]

It will also help to have inverter ACs. Older ACs can only run the compressor at full power or off, so to hold a temperature they must cycle from 50w to 1000w every few minutes, if you have several ACs like this cycle on at the same time, you can easily overload the breaker.

Inverter ACs can run the compressor at lower wattage continually, so in order to hold a temperature it may be running 500w continuously, rather than cycling 50-1000-50-1000. Much fewer problems overloading the breaker and reduces it eliminates the need to go turn off one AC so you can turn on a different AC or water kettle.

Plus the inverter technology is just more efficient for a cheaper power bill. Insulation and properly sized ACs for their rooms will also help things run smoothly.

Yes, I was checking these modern AC's already. More expensive, but in the long run (regarding the electricity usage) cost-effective. Thanks!