How It's Calculated
This calculator estimates your bill based on the residential (low-voltage) rate structure published by Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). Households on high-voltage contracts (e.g. large apartment complexes) or with discounts applied may see a different actual bill.
1. Base charge + Energy charge (tiered)
Usage is split into 3 tiers; both the base charge and the per-kWh rate increase as you move up a tier.
| Tier | Base charge | Energy charge (per kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 (up to 200kWh, 300kWh in summer) | β©910 | β©120.0 |
| Tier 2 (up to 400kWh, 450kWh in summer) | β©1,600 | β©214.6 |
| Tier 3 (excess) | β©7,300 | β©307.3 |
The energy charge is calculated separately for each tier at that tier's rate, then summed (e.g. for 300kWh usage, the first 200kWh is charged at β©120.0 and the remaining 100kWh at β©214.6). Only a single base charge from the highest tier reached applies.
2. Summer (Jul-Aug) tier relief
During July-August, when cooling demand rises, the tier 1 and tier 2 ceilings expand by 100kWh each (tier 1: 200β300kWh, tier 2: 400β450kWh). The rates and base charges themselves don't change.
3. Climate & environment charge / Fuel cost adjustment
A fixed amount per kWh is added proportionally to usage for each (climate & environment charge β©9.0, fuel cost adjustment β©5.0 β as used in this calculator). The fuel cost adjustment can change quarterly, so it may differ from your actual bill.
4. VAT / Electric power fund
10% VAT and a 3.7% electric power industry base fund are added to the subtotal of all the above. The final amount is rounded down to the nearest β©10 (standard billing practice).
5. What this calculator doesn't cover
It doesn't account for high-voltage contracts (e.g. large apartment complexes), welfare discounts (for people with disabilities, large families, low income, etc.), late-night power rates, or separate winter (Dec-Feb) tiers. Please check KEPCO ON for the exact amount.
How to avoid crossing a tier
The energy charge only gets more expensive for usage past the tier boundary, not your whole usage β but since the base charge applies as a lump sum from whichever tier you reach, the total can jump significantly for just a few kWh near a tier boundary. Watching this calculator's "kWh left until the next tier" and timing high-power appliances like air conditioners or dryers accordingly can help.
Why does the tiered system exist?
Korea's residential tiered electricity pricing was introduced to encourage energy conservation, by charging a low rate up to the minimum usage needed for daily life and a higher rate the more you use beyond that. Because rates rise in steps as usage grows, households with concentrated summer air-conditioning use can easily cross into tier 2 or 3, causing bills to jump sharply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find this month's usage?
You can check it on the KEPCO ON app/website, a past bill, or your meter reading slip. If you don't have an exact number, entering last month's usage as an approximation is still enough to gauge a rough estimate.
Does this work for studios or officetels?
Studios and officetels with an individual residential low-voltage contract generally match this calculator. However, if the whole building is on one shared contract with electricity bundled into maintenance fees, the contract type differs and results may not match.
What if my result differs from the actual bill?
It's likely that welfare discounts, a high-voltage contract, late-night power rates, or other factors this calculator doesn't account for apply to you, or that the fuel cost adjustment changed mid-quarter. Please check KEPCO ON for the exact amount.