Correctly managing household consumption has become essential at a time when many families are trying to control expenses and avoid surprises at the end of the month. It is important to regularly report electricity and water counts, a simple practice that can avoid billing errors and help keep the family budget balanced.
Giving actual meter readings remains, for many consumers, an infrequent habit. However, when counts are not communicated, companies resort to estimates based on previous consumption, which can result in invoices that do not correspond to the amount actually spent. These differences accumulate over time and often end up resulting in unexpected adjustments and additional costs that are difficult to predict, according to the digital portal specializing in economics Ekonomista.
Why you should send counts every month
One of the main advantages of reporting electricity and water counts regularly is to ensure that you only pay for what you actually consume. By eliminating estimates, the consumer gains greater predictability and is able to plan their household budget more accurately, without fear of subsequent adjustments.
Another important benefit is the prevention of excessive invoices resulting from accumulated adjustments. When the actual reading is only taken after several months, the difference in relation to the estimate can result in values much higher than usual, creating difficulties for families who were not prepared for this sudden increase.
Furthermore, monitoring the electricity and water meter numbers on a monthly basis allows you to detect anomalies more quickly, according to the same source. Leaks, malfunctions or abnormal consumption may go unnoticed for weeks, but they become evident when you compare each reading with the previous value. Identifying these problems in time avoids waste and represents significant savings throughout the year.
Reinforcement of energy and water awareness
Reporting counts also encourages more conscious use of resources. When observing the impact of domestic routines on consumption, consumers tend to adopt more efficient behaviors, such as reducing shower time or avoiding leaving lights on unnecessarily. Small changes can have significant effects on monthly invoices.
How to communicate readings in a simple way
Nowadays, most electricity and water companies provide several ways of communicating counts. The online customer area continues to be the most practical option, available at any time via the website or mobile application. Readings can also be sent by phone, SMS or email, depending on each supplier’s policy.
Ideally, counts should always be reported at the same time of the month. Many entities set specific dates or send automatic reminders to facilitate the process. Creating an alert on your cell phone or including this task in your monthly routine is enough to ensure that nothing remains undone, according to the previously mentioned source.
What Portuguese legislation says
According to the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE), consumers have the right to receive invoices based on actual consumption whenever they report readings within the defined deadlines. Companies are also obliged to promote regular meter reading and provide accessible means for this purpose.
If a customer receives several estimated invoices in a row without having had the opportunity to communicate the actual values, they can submit a complaint to the supplier itself or to ERSE, in accordance with .
For greater security, it is advisable to photograph the meter when reading, creating a visual record in case of future discrepancies. Comparing invoices monthly is another good practice, as unexpected increases may indicate leaks or reading errors.
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