Why is my electricity bill so high? Nine checks, with the real cost of each
Most high bills have a clear reason you can find in a few minutes. Work through these checks in order and use the numbers to see how much each one adds.
Quick diagnosis table
| What you notice | Most likely cause | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Bill is higher in June or July 2026 than before | The June 2026 tariff change | Compare your slab rates with the tariff page |
| Units went up a little but the bill went up a lot | You crossed into a more expensive slab | Your total units for the month |
| Last bill was low, this one is high | An under-billed month was added to this bill | Reading dates and units on both bills |
| Units are the same but the total is higher | Meter rent, arrears or a late payment charge | Extra lines under the energy charge |
| Units jumped for no clear reason | More days in the period, a new device, or always-on devices | Billing period days and your device list |
| Meter still counts with everything off | A meter or wiring problem | Ask for a meter test |
1. The June 2026 tariff change
BERC raised the average retail price in its order of 3 June 2026, from ৳9.11 to ৳10.63 per unit. A day later it withdrew the increase for homes using up to 75 units, so the average became ৳10.40. The first two home slabs are unchanged at ৳4.63 and ৳5.26. Slabs from 76 units up are now ৳8.50, ৳9.10, ৳9.62, ৳15.01 and ৳17.35. The demand charge did not change.
If you use more than 75 units, your June 2026 and later bills can be higher than before even with the same use. This is a price change, not a billing error.
2. You crossed into a more expensive slab
The price of the next unit depends on where you are in the month. This table shows what the next 50 units cost, with 5% VAT, at different points.
| Units used so far | Next 50 units cost | Rate for those units |
|---|---|---|
| 100 → 150 | ৳446.25 | ৳8.50 |
| 250 → 300 | ৳477.75 | ৳9.10 |
| 350 → 400 | ৳505.05 | ৳9.62 |
| 400 → 450 | ৳788.02 | ৳15.01 |
| 600 → 650 | ৳910.88 | ৳17.35 |
3. An under-billed month was added to this one
If a month is billed lower than the real use and the difference is added later, the later bill moves into higher slabs. A bdnews24 report explains that this pushes the per-unit cost up. For example, two months of 300 units cost an energy charge of ৳4,734.00, while 100 units followed by 500 units cost ৳5,437.00. Check the reading dates and units on your last two bills. A dated photo of your meter is the best proof.
4. Extra lines under the energy charge
Look for four lines. Demand charge (sanctioned load times ৳42 for a home). Meter rent (৳40 single-phase or ৳250 three-phase if the company supplied the meter). Arrears from earlier bills. A late payment charge if the last bill was paid after its due date. If your units look normal but the total is higher, one of these lines is usually the reason.
5. A longer billing period
Meter readings are taken between the 5th and 25th for LT customers (DESCO). If your period grew from 28 to 33 days, a home using 8 units a day goes from 224 to 264 units. The energy charge moves from ৳1,675.40 to ৳2,039.40, which is ৳364.00 more.
6. New devices and always-on devices
Use this formula for any device: units = watts × hours ÷ 1,000. The watts are printed on the label. The table uses example wattages, so replace them with your own.
| Device (example) | Watts | Hours a day | Units a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi router | 10 | 24 | 7.2 |
| Set-top box | 15 | 24 | 10.8 |
| Phone charger left plugged in | 2 | 24 | 1.4 |
| Ceiling fan | 75 | 10 | 22.5 |
| 1.5-ton AC (check label) | 1400 | 8 | 336 |
7. A meter or wiring problem
Turn off every appliance at the main switch of the flat or house, then watch the meter for a few minutes. If it still counts units, ask your company to test the meter. DESCO’s online service system handles meter tests, bill corrections and tariff changes, and DPDC’s app lets you file a complaint and track it. For a meter test fee, ask your company. Khulna Palli Bidyut lists ৳240 for single-phase and ৳480 for three-phase.
8. Hot months
Fans and AC run longer in summer, so units rise without any fault. Compare this bill with the same month last year, not with last month.
9. How to raise a complaint with evidence
- Collect your last three bills and dated photos of your meter display.
- Write the lines you question: the units, the reading dates and the extra charges.
- Call your company: DESCO 16120, DPDC 16116 or WZPDCL 16117. The national power helpline is 16999.
- Use your company’s online service for a bill correction or meter test. DESCO has an online customer service system, and the My DPDC app lets you file a complaint.
- Keep the complaint number and the date you called.
Questions readers ask
Why is my electricity bill so high in 2026?
The most common reasons are the June 2026 tariff change for units above 75, crossing into a more expensive slab, a longer billing period, extra lines such as arrears or meter rent, and new or always-on devices.
Did electricity prices go up in June 2026?
BERC raised the average retail price from 9.11 to 10.63 taka per unit on 3 June 2026. On 4 June it withdrew the increase for homes using up to 75 units, which brought the average to 10.40 taka. Slabs above 75 units did rise.
How much does it cost to go over 400 units?
The rate rises from 9.62 taka to 15.01 taka per unit. The next 50 units after 400 cost about 788 taka with VAT, compared with about 505 taka for the 50 units before it.
Can an earlier low bill make my next bill higher?
Yes. If missing units are added to a later month, that month moves into higher slabs. For two months of 300 units, the energy charge is lower than for 100 units then 500 units for the same total units.
Who do I call about a wrong bill?
Call your company: DESCO 16120, DPDC 16116 or WZPDCL 16117. The national power helpline is 16999. Have your consumer number, bill and meter photos ready.
How do I know if my meter is faulty?
Turn off everything at the main switch and watch the meter. If it keeps counting, ask your company for a meter test. Do not open or touch the meter yourself.
Sources and updates
This guide was checked on 7 October 2026. Rates come from the BERC retail tariff order of 3 June 2026 (Order 2026/22) and the 4 June 2026 change that kept the first two home slabs at ৳4.63 and ৳5.26, which DPDC also lists on its tariff page.
- BSS: BERC withdraws increase for up to 75 units
- The Business Standard: low-income households spared
- DESCO: your postpaid bill and meter reading schedule
- bdnews24: how slab effects raise bills (Bangla)
This is an independent website, not BERC or an electricity company. Examples are estimates. Your printed bill and your company are the final word. See our disclaimer or tell us about a mistake.