How Your FESCO Bill Is Calculated: Units, Slabs, Protected Consumers & Taxes
Most bill disputes start because people cannot read the bill. This guide explains how units, slabs and taxes combine into the final amount, so you can spot errors yourself.
Units consumed = current meter reading minus previous reading (multiplied by the meter multiplier if one is printed). The bill applies slab-wise rates to those units, then adds fixed charges, fuel price adjustment, taxes and any arrears. Crossing 200 units even once can move a household out of the protected category.
Written and reviewed by Ali Sherazi, Sargodha. See our editorial policy. Fees and timings change, so confirm with the office before you go.
یونٹس = موجودہ ریڈنگ منفی پچھلی ریڈنگ۔ ان یونٹس پر سلیب کے حساب سے ریٹ لگتا ہے، پھر فکسڈ چارجز، فیول ایڈجسٹمنٹ، ٹیکس اور بقایا جات شامل ہوتے ہیں۔ اگر گھر کا استعمال 200 یونٹ سے بڑھ جائے تو پروٹیکٹڈ کیٹیگری متاثر ہو سکتی ہے۔ بل پر ریڈنگ کی تاریخ اور دن ضرور دیکھیں۔
🪜 Step-by-Step Guide
Follow each step in order. Do not skip steps — the sequence matters.
On the bill, locate the previous reading and the current reading. The difference is the number of units. If a multiplying factor is printed (common on commercial and industrial meters), multiply the difference by it.
Pro Tip: Compare the current reading on your bill with the reading shown on your meter display on the same day. A mismatch is the strongest evidence in a dispute.
Normal billing covers about 30 days. A bill covering 35 or more days has more units and can push you into a higher slab. The reading date and previous reading date are printed on the bill.
Domestic electricity is charged in slabs: the first block of units costs less per unit and higher blocks cost more. Because the whole bill moves up when consumption rises, 20 extra units in summer can raise the bill noticeably. Current rates are printed on the bill and change by government notification.
Under the government policy, households that stay at or under 200 units in every month of the previous six months are treated as protected and charged at lower rates. Using more than 200 units in a single month can remove the protection for a period. Confirm the current policy with FESCO because it is revised from time to time.
After energy charges you will see fixed charges, fuel price adjustment (FPA), quarterly tariff adjustment (QTA), electricity duty and applicable sales tax. These are set by NEPRA and the government and appear on every bill.
Unpaid previous amounts, instalments and late payment surcharges are added at the bottom. Make sure last month's payment is shown as received.
If the printed reading is higher than your meter shows, photograph the meter and bill and apply for correction at your sub-division. Our high bill guide gives the exact complaint steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the most frequent reasons people waste a whole trip to the government office.
Comparing only the total amount with last month
Compare units and billing days first. The same units over more days, or fewer protected months, changes the total.
Running heavy appliances without knowing the slab limit
Air conditioners and geysers can push you above 200 units quickly. Keep track of your units mid-month from the meter display.
Not photographing the meter at month end
A dated photo of the meter is simple evidence against an estimated or wrong reading.
Assuming all line items are FESCO charges
Many items such as taxes and tariff adjustments are decided by the government and regulator, not by the local sub-division.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Cooling appliances increase units, and higher units fall into higher-priced slabs. Longer billing cycles also add units.
If a meter reader cannot take a reading, the bill is estimated from past usage. Once an actual reading is taken, the difference is adjusted. You can request correction if the assessed amount is clearly wrong.
Fuel Price Adjustment reflects the change in the cost of fuel used for generation compared with the reference cost. It can be positive or negative.
With a net-metering or net-billing connection, exported units are credited against imported units. See our solar guide for the process.
Rates are notified by NEPRA and the government. Check nepra.org.pk or call FESCO 118 for the tariff applicable to your category.
Helplines & Offices
Helpline numbers shown here are national short codes. Office timings are typical and can change, so confirm locally before you travel.
NEPRA Consumer Complaints
Office hours; via nepra.org.pk