Three-tariff meters have come into our life relatively recently, gradually replacing the usual options with one and two tariffs. The key advantage is the ability to independently choose which tariff the user will be most profitable.
However, at the moment the equipment is not represented everywhere, because some regions have not completed the connection program, but are still working on the implementation of meters with two tariffs. However, experts confidently say that in the near future, three-tariff meters will become available throughout the country.
Benefit and Benefit
It is no secret that the receipt of a three-tariff meter is cheaper than when paying for electric energy at one or two tariffs. But few people think that for the resource provider and equipment manufacturers the choice in favor of exactly three tariffs also gives a certain benefit. Experts say that such meters have become the optimal solution that best meets the expectations of all parties. In more advanced countries, this calculation of electricity consumption has been used for more than one year.
And what is the benefit?
Words by words, but what is the real use? In order to understand it, you will have to figure out how to read a three-tariff counter. It contains the time intervals:
- from ten in the morning to five in the afternoon;
- from five to nine;
- from nine in the evening to eleven in the evening;
- from eleven in the evening to seven in the morning;
- from seven to ten in the morning.
The cheapest electrical energy is supplied between eleven in the evening and seven in the morning. This tariff is called "night".
The daily rate is more expensive than others and is valid from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and then again active from nine to eleven in the evening. In other time periods, electricity consumption is calculated at the third, average tariff. Three-tariff email the counter allows you to save four times more at night, compared with daytime. But the device, which counts electricity at the same tariff around the clock, suggests that payment will be made at the daily, that is, high tariff. It does not take into account at what time of the day the resource was used up.
And what about the manufacturers?
Of course, the consumer is interested in what is the benefit for the supplier to sell a device that helps to save and, as it seems, reduces the profits of electricity supply companies. Payment by a three-tariff meter in Moscow, where the possibility of installing this equipment was introduced earlier than in other regions, showed that the device helps to deal with the concept of “peak hour”. This is the period when people wake up, as well as the time the working population returns home. As a rule, everyone wants to turn on the light, warm the kettle, blow dry their heads, and so on. Consequently, in residential buildings there are a huge number of devices that create an extremely strong load on the electric network.
The manufacturer is forced to run all of its power plants into maximum power generation to meet the needs of the population. When the peak decreases, the functioning of power plants can be weakened. And this cycle repeats daily.
And then everything breaks down!
Even without special knowledge, it is clear that with such regular fluctuations, damage cannot be avoided. The best option is when the equipment copes with the load of the average level, unchanged throughout the entire period of operation. The electricity preference for a three-tariff meter provokes people to use electrical energy-consuming equipment not only during peak hours, but also in other periods. For example, a washing machine, dishwasher, and so on can be started at night. An incentive is a significant saving on energy, since modern technology does not require regular supervision, so you can just get clean things or dishes in the morning.
And for the energy producer, periods of high demand for electricity become easier to process, as the demand for resources from the population decreases. Consequently, the equipment will not wear out so quickly, break, do not have to spend a lot of money on regular repairs and elimination of accidents.
Benefits for the world
This is surprising, but three-tariff counters are useful not only for people, but also for the surrounding world. And the reason is simple: environmental damage is significantly reduced due to increased loads on power plants. To ensure the correct operation of the station, it is necessary to have a sufficiently large amount of the initial resource in order to generate the required level of electricity. The greater the mass, the greater the emissions, and when developing a uniform level of functioning, you can adjust the process so that the amount of emissions is minimal and leveled by cleaning systems.

Thus, anyone who chooses three-tariff meters, thereby not only trying to help themselves and improve their financial situation at home, but also struggles for a clean environment. Let this be a small contribution, but feasible to everyone, and even associated with personal gain, especially since using the devices at night is possible without any discomfort for yourself. It’s enough just to get used to putting the equipment on charge before bedtime, and not during the day, and this will already achieve a noticeable result.
Interesting features
Visually distinguishing a meter with three tariffs from a single tariff is practically impossible, since the specificity is that internal mechanisms switch the system at a given time. How to pay a three-tariff meter? When approaching the moment of calculation for the resource, the consumer will receive three receipts. Each of them must be filled in with the numbers indicated on the corresponding scoreboard. There are no difficulties, a layman and an elderly person who is far from technology will cope with this. The main thing is not to confuse the indicators - since everything is signed. The cost of a meter with three tariffs is higher than a simpler model. But the difference pays for itself in six months, or even earlier.
Mounting Features
Assuming a switch to a new electric meter, remember that only certified specialists can install the device. You can not put the meter on your own, and then pay for it consumed electricity.
As a rule, the logic of work is as follows:
- the consumer selects a suitable reliable company;
- draws up an application for the installation of equipment;
- awaiting specialists;
- pays for the service.
The price consists of the cost of:
- instrument;
- replacement work;
- documents;
- programming
- validation of the tariffication;
- sealing.
Who benefits the most
The most effective savings when using the three tariffs are achieved by the “owl”, often spending time late at the computer or reading a book, as well as having to work at night shift at home. Another category of citizens is people whose houses are equipped with a “warm floor” system. In addition, the benefit is received by users whose homes are literally crammed with a variety of appliances. The more equipment there is, the higher the benefit of three tariffs.
Finally, all ordinary people benefit from the use of the three-tariff system. Remember that some appliances must operate around the clock. Statistics show that in an ordinary apartment of a modern person, a very large percentage of all consumed electricity is consumed by a refrigerator, which needs a resource around the clock. With two tariffs, only on this device you can save four times, and with three tariffs, the savings will increase up to 8 times, because for a full tariff of 24 hours you only have to pay 9.
How to calculate the exemption for a three-tariff counter? Pay attention to the time at which you most often turn on the lights and various appliances at home, and also evaluate whether there is a lot of equipment connected to the network around the clock. Consider not only the usual household appliances (kitchen used in the bathroom), but also the heating system, lighting, including external, if you live in a private house.
And how do you know how much energy you spent?
How to take readings from a three-tariff meter? Everything is extremely simple. Step-by-step instruction:
- Find a counter in the house.
- Press the Enter key.
- Write down the readings that appear on the screen. Each digit will be marked T1, T2 or T3, which allows you to determine for which tariff the data are valid.
Further, these figures are entered into receipts, each in its own, and already on this sheet with the current tariff, you can calculate how much you have to pay. By the way, it’s not necessary to even go to the post office or to the bank to stand a long line. In most regions, local operators have established payment for electricity via the Internet with a bank card. This process is fast, with no commissions or loss of time.
About options
There are two groups of electric meters:
The former are wider distributed, as they were invented earlier and massively installed in previous years. The price for them is slightly lower, but nowadays such meters are considered obsolete. But electronic is the last word in technology. Devices conduct accurate metering of electrical energy without error. They are designed to cope with large volumes of resources for accounting. The most powerful and smart ones allow remote acquisition of energy consumption data .
When choosing a specific device, pay attention to:
- accuracy class (the best option is 2.0);
- tariffing.
It must be remembered that for the metering of energy it is allowed to use only devices whose types have been approved by the local authorities, officials responsible for metrology. To determine the accuracy class, the technician is tested with measuring instruments.
To summarize
Meters that take into account the consumption of electric energy at three tariffs have established themselves as profitable and useful. When choosing, take into account the accuracy of the device and make sure that it supports all three tariffs, and also check with your local sales company whether it is possible to install a three-tariff device in your area.
In no case do not work with uncertified specialists, even trying to save. A counter installed by a layperson will not be able to seal in the future and will have to pay for everything in a new way. And you can’t pay a single kilowatt hour for an unsealed meter.