What are the differences between prepaid energy meters and regular energy meters

Prepaid energy meters (commonly known as "recharge meters" or "card meters") and regular energy meters (usually referred to as "postpaid meters") have significant differences in their working principles, payment methods, user experience, and management modes. Here are their main differences:

Core difference

Payment mode and sequence:

Prepaid energy meter: Pay first, then use electricity.

Users need to purchase a certain amount of electricity in advance (usually through recharge cards, mobile apps, online payments, or offline branches).

The energy meter is equipped with an "electronic wallet" where the recharge amount is deposited.

When using electricity, the meter deducts the corresponding electricity bill from the "electronic wallet" in real time based on the actual electricity consumption.

When the balance of the "electronic wallet" runs out or falls below the preset threshold, the energy meter will automatically power off and stop supplying power (some will issue warnings first, such as flashing or SMS reminders).

Ordinary energy meter (postpaid): Use electricity first, pay later.

Users first use electricity for one billing cycle (usually one month).

The power supply company regularly (monthly) sends people to read meters or reads electricity consumption through a remote automatic meter reading system.

Calculate electricity bills based on meter readings, generate bills, and send them to users.

Users need to pay their electricity bills before the payment deadline specified in the bill.

If payment is not made on time, the power supply company may take measures to cut off power after multiple reminders.

Power outage mechanism:

Prepaid energy meter: Automatic power-off is the core feature. When the balance is insufficient, there is no need for manual intervention, and the energy meter automatically cuts off the power. Restoring power supply requires recharging.

Ordinary energy meter: It will not automatically power off. Only when the user has been in arrears with electricity bills for a long time and has gone through legal procedures such as collection and warning by the power supply company, can the power supply company manually or on-site operate the power outage. Restore power supply after paying off outstanding fees.

Cost management and user control:

Prepaid energy meter:

Strong user autonomy: Users can recharge at any time according to their budget and electricity habits, control their electricity expenses, and avoid the impact of large bills.

Real time monitoring: Users can usually conveniently check the remaining amount (or electricity) on the energy meter, making it easier to understand real-time electricity usage (some smart meters can also be viewed through an app).

Avoiding the risk of arrears: Fundamentally eliminating the problem of arrears and late fees due to forgetting to pay, and also avoiding sudden power outages caused by arrears.

Ordinary electric meter:

Monthly billing: Users usually only know how much electricity and money they used in the previous month at the end or beginning of the month.

There is a risk of arrears: it is easy to incur arrears, late fees, and even the risk of power outage due to forgetting to pay.

Budget control is relatively passive: users need to estimate electricity consumption based on historical bills and control their electricity habits to manage the budget, but there is a lack of real-time balance feedback.

Meter reading method:

Prepaid energy meters: Usually do not require manual periodic meter reading for billing (but may require meter reading for data verification or line loss calculation). The core of billing lies in real-time deduction of prepaid amounts.

Ordinary energy meter: relies on regular meter reading (manual or remote automatic meter reading) to determine electricity consumption and calculate electricity bills.

Installation cost and maintenance (for power supply companies):

Prepaid energy meters: The procurement cost of a single meter is usually higher (with more complex technology). But it can significantly reduce meter reading costs, payment collection costs, bad debt risks (users not paying back), and electricity recovery cycles.

Ordinary electric meter: The cost of a single electric meter is relatively low (especially for traditional mechanical meters). But it requires a high investment in meter reading manpower or the construction of remote meter reading systems, and there are costs such as debt collection, bad debt management, and long electricity recovery cycles.

Flexibility:

Prepaid energy meter: It is very convenient for tenants and temporary power plants, and landlords or managers do not need to worry about tenants owing electricity bills. Users can also recharge as needed at any time.

Ordinary energy meter: For long-term stable residents, the monthly payment model is more habitual and convenient.

Important supplement

Smart meter: Modern smart meters often integrate the functions of two modes. It is essentially a powerful electronic meter that supports bidirectional communication (remote meter reading, remote control). The power supply company can configure the same smart meter to operate in prepaid or postpaid mode through software. This allows power supply companies to flexibly switch billing methods based on user needs or management strategies.

Choice: Whether users can freely choose to install prepaid or postpaid energy meters depends mainly on the policies and regulations of the local power supply company, and not all places provide a choice.

Simply put: Prepaid energy meters are like "mobile prepaid packages", they shut down when there is no money; A regular energy meter is like a "mobile postpaid package", where you use it first and then pay the bill, and if you don't pay, it will shut down. Prepaid payment allows users to more actively control their electricity expenses and avoid overdue payments, but it is important to remember to recharge in a timely manner; Post payment is more traditional, but there is a risk of forgetting to pay, resulting in arrears and power outages.