How to Read Your Electricity Bill
Last updated: 12 April 2026
Understand every line item on your UP electricity bill — from slab-wise billing to hidden charges. Learn how solar can reduce your bill by up to 90%.
How do I read my UP electricity bill?
Your UP electricity bill has these key parts: consumer number (your unique ID), meter reading (current minus previous = units consumed), energy charges (calculated using telescopic slabs: 0-100 units at Rs 3.50, 101-150 at Rs 4.00, 151-300 at Rs 5.50, 301-500 at Rs 6.50), fixed charges (based on sanctioned load), electricity duty (5% of energy charges), and meter rent (Rs 20-25/month). A solar system with net metering can reduce your bill to just the minimum fixed charges.
Source: LESA / UPPCL Tariff Order 2025-26 | Last updated: April 2026
Parts of a UP Electricity Bill
Every UP DISCOM bill (LESA, KESCO, PVVNL, MVVNL, DVVNL, PuVVNL) contains these key components
Consumer Number
Your unique account ID (10-12 digits). Found at the top of the bill. Required for online payments, complaints, and net metering applications.
Meter Reading
Shows previous and current meter readings. The difference gives you units consumed (kWh). Check this against your own meter to verify accuracy.
Units Consumed (kWh)
Total electricity used in the billing period. Current reading minus previous reading. This determines which slab rates apply to your bill.
Energy Charges
The main variable cost. Calculated using telescopic (slab-wise) billing. Different rates apply to different consumption ranges.
Fixed Charges
A flat monthly charge based on your sanctioned load (in kW), not consumption. You pay this even with zero usage. Typically Rs 70-130/kW per month.
Electricity Duty
A 5% state government tax on your energy charges. This is mandatory and collected by DISCOMs on behalf of the UP government.
Meter Rent
Monthly rental for your electricity meter. Typically Rs 20 for single-phase and Rs 25 for three-phase meters. Charged regardless of consumption.
Other Surcharges
May include fuel cost adjustment, pension trust surcharge, or arrears. These vary by DISCOM and billing period. Check the breakup section for details.
Understanding Slab-Wise (Telescopic) Billing
UP uses telescopic billing — you pay progressively higher rates as you consume more electricity
| Slab | Units Range | Rate (Rs/unit) |
|---|---|---|
| Slab 1 | 0 - 100 units | Rs 3.50 |
| Slab 2 | 101 - 150 units | Rs 4.00 |
| Slab 3 | 151 - 300 units | Rs 5.50 |
| Slab 4 | 301 - 500 units | Rs 6.50 |
* Rates shown are for domestic LMV-1 category (LESA Lucknow). Your DISCOM rates may vary slightly.
Here is how the energy charges are calculated for a household consuming 350 units in a month:
| Slab | Units | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 100 | 100 units | Rs 3.50 | Rs 350 |
| 101 - 150 | 50 units | Rs 4.00 | Rs 200 |
| 151 - 300 | 150 units | Rs 5.50 | Rs 825 |
| 301 - 350 | 50 units | Rs 6.50 | Rs 325 |
| Total Energy Charges | Rs 1,700 | ||
Effective rate: Rs 1,700 / 350 units = Rs 4.86/unit (not Rs 6.50 for all units). This is why telescopic billing is different from flat-rate billing.
Fixed Charges vs Energy Charges
Rs 70-130/kW per month
- Based on sanctioned load, not consumption
- Charged even if you use zero units
- Covers grid connection and maintenance
- Cannot be reduced by solar (still payable)
Rs 3.50-6.50/unit (variable)
- Based on actual electricity consumed
- Calculated using telescopic slab rates
- Usually 70-85% of your total bill
- Can be reduced to zero with solar
Additional Charges on Your Bill
Beyond energy and fixed charges, your bill includes these additional line items
| Charge | Amount | Details | Reduced by Solar? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity Duty | 5% of energy charges | State government tax, mandatory for all consumers | Yes |
| Meter Rent | Rs 20-25/month | Rs 20 for single-phase, Rs 25 for three-phase meters | No |
| Fuel Cost Adjustment | Variable | Adjusts for fuel price changes, can be positive or negative | Yes |
| Pension Trust Surcharge | ~1-2% | Contributes to DISCOM employee pension fund | Yes |
| Late Payment Surcharge | 1.5%/month | Charged on overdue amounts. Pay on time to avoid this | No |
| Arrears (if any) | Variable | Outstanding balance from previous billing periods | No |
How to Verify Your Bill Calculation
Follow these steps to check if your electricity bill is accurate
Check Meter Reading
Note your current meter reading and subtract the previous reading (shown on the bill). This gives you units consumed. If your meter is digital, you can verify with the display.
Calculate Energy Charges
Apply slab rates to your units consumed: first 100 units at Rs 3.50, next 50 at Rs 4.00, next 150 at Rs 5.50, and remaining at Rs 6.50. Add up the amounts for each slab.
Add Fixed Charges
Multiply your sanctioned load (in kW) by the fixed charge rate (Rs 70-130/kW depending on your category). This is found on the top of your bill near "Connected Load".
Add Electricity Duty
Calculate 5% of your energy charges (not including fixed charges) and add it to the total.
Add Meter Rent & Surcharges
Add meter rent (Rs 20-25) and any applicable surcharges. Compare your calculated total with the bill amount. A small rounding difference (Rs 1-2) is normal.
Bill Dispute?
If your calculated amount differs significantly from the bill, contact your DISCOM office with your consumer number. You can also file a complaint through the UP Jhatpat Portal or the UPPCL helpline 1912.
How Solar Reduces Your Electricity Bill
Solar panels with net metering can eliminate your energy charges almost entirely
Annual cost: ~Rs 23,820
Savings: Rs 1,780/month (Rs 21,360/year)
Electricity Bill FAQs
Common questions about UP electricity bills and how solar affects them
Your consumer number (also called account number or K-number) is printed at the top of the bill near your name and address. It is a unique 10-12 digit number assigned by your DISCOM (LESA, KESCO, PVVNL, etc.). You need this number for online payments and complaints.
Telescopic (slab-wise) billing means you pay different rates for different usage slabs. The first 100 units are cheapest, and the rate increases as you consume more. This is different from flat-rate billing where one rate applies to all units. It rewards lower consumption.
Summer bills are higher because AC, coolers, and fans increase consumption. With telescopic billing, higher consumption pushes more units into expensive slabs (301-500 units at Rs 6.50/unit vs 0-100 units at Rs 3.50/unit). A 3kW solar system can offset most summer usage.
Electricity duty is a state government tax of 5% levied on the total energy charges. It is mandated by the UP government and collected by DISCOMs on behalf of the state. This charge cannot be avoided but is reduced proportionally when solar lowers your energy charges.
Subtract your previous meter reading from the current reading to get units consumed. Apply the telescopic slab rates to calculate energy charges. Add fixed charges (based on sanctioned load), electricity duty (5%), and meter rent (Rs 20-25/month). Compare the total with your bill amount.
Yes, with net metering, a properly sized solar system can reduce your bill to nearly zero. You only pay the minimum fixed charges (around Rs 100-150/month). Any excess solar power is exported to the grid and credited against your consumption. Use our solar calculator to estimate savings.
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