Pakistan's electricity billing uses a progressive slab system set by NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority). The more units (kWh) you consume, the higher the rate applied — but each slab's rate only applies to the units within that slab, not your entire consumption.
For example, if you consume 250 units, you pay Slab 1 rates on the first 50 units, Slab 2 rates on the next 100 units, and Slab 3 rates on the remaining 100 units. Many households mistakenly assume crossing a slab threshold means the higher rate applies to every unit — this is incorrect.
Residential consumers using up to 200 units per month are classified as protected consumers and pay lower subsidised rates. Once you exceed 200 units in a month, the unprotected (market) tariff applies to your entire bill — which is why your bill can jump significantly when you cross 200 units.
| Consumption (Units/Month) | Category | Approx. Rate (PKR/unit) |
|---|---|---|
| 1–100 | Protected Slab 1 | ~6–8 |
| 101–200 | Protected Slab 2 | ~10–13 |
| 1–100 (if total >200) | Unprotected Slab 1 | ~20–22 |
| 101–200 (if total >200) | Unprotected Slab 2 | ~22–25 |
| 201–300 | Unprotected Slab 3 | ~26–30 |
| 301–500 | Unprotected Slab 4 | ~30–35 |
| 501–600 | Unprotected Slab 5 | ~35–38 |
| 601+ | Unprotected Slab 6 | ~38–42 |
Rates shown are approximate and updated periodically. This calculator uses the latest NEPRA-notified tariffs. Read our full NEPRA tariff guide →
Beyond the per-unit energy charge, your bill includes a fixed monthly charge (typically PKR 75–150 depending on slab), plus several taxes and surcharges: GST (17%), Electricity Duty (1.5%), Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA), and Quarterly Tariff Adjustment (QTA). This calculator includes all of these in the final estimate.
This is the protected/unprotected threshold. Below 200 units, you pay heavily subsidised rates on all consumption. Above 200 units, the unprotected (higher) tariff applies to your entire bill retroactively — not just the extra units. Crossing 200 units can roughly double your per-unit cost across the board.
Air conditioners (1–1.5 ton window/split ACs) are by far the largest consumers, using 1,000–1,500 watts during operation. Water heaters (geysers) are second, especially in winter. Refrigerators run 24/7 and typically consume 100–200 kWh per month depending on model and age. This calculator lets you add each appliance individually and see its exact contribution.
The estimate is based on actual NEPRA-notified tariff slabs plus standard taxes (GST, Electricity Duty) and surcharges. For fuel price adjustments and quarterly tariff adjustments — which fluctuate monthly — we use current average values. Your actual bill may vary slightly due to billing period differences, meter reading adjustments, or local distribution company (DISCO) surcharges.
WAPDA distributes power through regional DISCOs (distribution companies): LESCO (Lahore), IESCO (Islamabad), MEPCO (Multan), PESCO (Peshawar), HESCO (Hyderabad), QESCO (Quetta), and others. K-Electric (KE) operates separately in Karachi. Tariff slabs are set nationally by NEPRA but some surcharges vary by DISCO. This calculator uses the standard NEPRA residential tariff applicable to most consumers.
This calculator is designed for residential (domestic) connections. Commercial and industrial tariffs have different rate structures, demand charges, and power factor requirements. Check your DISCO's website or NEPRA's tariff schedule for commercial rates.
The most effective strategies are: (1) Stay below 200 units to remain on the protected tariff — even small reductions matter enormously at this threshold. (2) Upgrade to inverter-technology ACs and refrigerators, which use 30–50% less power. (3) Set AC temperature to 24–26°C instead of 18–20°C — each degree warmer saves roughly 8–10% in AC power consumption. (4) Consider solar panels if your monthly bill exceeds PKR 8,000 — the ROI is typically 3–5 years. Use our Solar ROI Calculator →