Every month, millions of households across Bangladesh receive electricity bills that seem higher than expected — and most people have no reliable way to check whether the amount is correct. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) uses a cumulative slab system, which means the way your bill is calculated is more nuanced than simply multiplying units by a single rate. This guide explains exactly how it works, shows you the updated June 2026 rates (effective from bill month June 2026 as per DPDC tariff notice), and walks through real calculation examples so you can verify your own bill before paying it.
The BERC Residential Slab System Explained
Bangladesh uses a tiered pricing structure for residential electricity. The key thing to understand is that it is cumulative — your first 50 units are always charged at the lowest rate, regardless of your total consumption for the month. Only the units above each threshold move into the next band. This is very different from a flat-rate system where crossing a threshold would reprice your entire bill.
DPDC/BERC Residential Tariff (LT-A Category) — Effective June 2026
| Monthly Units (kWh) | Rate per Unit (BDT) | Typical Household Profile |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 50 units (Lifeline) | ৳ 5.32 / kWh | Lifeline rate — fans and lights only |
| 51 – 75 units | ৳ 6.18 / kWh | Small flat with minimal appliances |
| 76 – 200 units | ৳ 8.50 / kWh | Average household with fridge and TV |
| 201 – 300 units | ৳ 9.10 / kWh | AC used occasionally |
| 301 – 400 units | ৳ 9.62 / kWh | AC used regularly in summer |
| 401 – 600 units | ৳ 15.01 / kWh | Heavy AC use or multiple large appliances |
| 601 units and above | ৳ 17.35 / kWh | Very high consumption |
Note
These updated slab rates are effective from bill month June 2026 as per DPDC (Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd) tariff notice. The rates apply to DPDC, DESCO, BPDB, NESCO, WZPDCL, and PBS residential (LT-A) consumers. Fixed charges: demand charge ৳42/kVA + 5% VAT on energy charge + meter rent ৳10–40/month.
Step-by-Step: Calculating a 250-Unit Bill (June 2026 Rates)
Let us walk through a household that used 250 kWh in a month using the new June 2026 rates. Here is how the energy charge is calculated, band by band.
- 1First 50 units at ৳5.32: 50 × 5.32 = ৳266.00
- 2Next 25 units (51–75) at ৳6.18: 25 × 6.18 = ৳154.50
- 3Next 125 units (76–200) at ৳8.50: 125 × 8.50 = ৳1,062.50
- 4Remaining 50 units (201–250) at ৳9.10: 50 × 9.10 = ৳455.00
- 5Energy charge subtotal: ৳266.00 + ৳154.50 + ৳1,062.50 + ৳455.00 = ৳1,938.00
- 6Add 5% VAT on energy charge: ৳1,938.00 × 0.05 = ৳96.90
- 7Add meter rent: typically ৳10–40 depending on your meter type
- 8Add demand charge: ৳42 per kVA of sanctioned load (check your contract)
- 9Total estimated bill: approximately ৳2,080–2,120 for this household
Why Your Actual Bill May Differ from the Estimate
If you compare this calculated figure to your actual bill and they do not match, a few things could explain the difference. First, many bills include arrears or adjustments from previous months — check the line items carefully. Second, demand charge varies with your sanctioned load (the figure on your connection agreement). Third, DESCO prepaid meters include a 0.5% rebate on the net bill, and a separate 5% one-time payment rebate is available if you pay the full amount at once. None of these adjustments change the underlying slab calculation — they are added on top.
How Different Appliances Affect Your Slab
The biggest factor in which slab you land in is air conditioning. A single 1-ton non-inverter AC running 6 hours per day adds approximately 180 kWh to your monthly bill — enough to push an average household from the 76–200 slab well into the 201–300 range. Understanding this helps you plan around it.
Estimated Monthly kWh by Common Appliance
| Appliance | Typical Wattage | Hours/Day | Monthly kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling fan | 75W | 10 hrs | 22.5 kWh |
| LED TV (43 inch) | 80W | 5 hrs | 12.0 kWh |
| Refrigerator (single door) | 130W cycling | 24 hrs | 30–40 kWh |
| AC 1-ton non-inverter | 1,100W | 6 hrs | 198 kWh |
| AC 1-ton inverter | 600W avg | 6 hrs | 108 kWh |
| Water pump | 500W | 1 hr | 15 kWh |
| Washing machine | 500W | 1 hr/use, 15 uses | 7.5 kWh |
Practical Steps to Lower Your Bill
Switching from a non-inverter AC to an inverter model typically cuts AC electricity consumption by 30–50% — that is the single biggest lever available to most households. Beyond that, keeping the AC at 24–26°C rather than 18°C saves roughly 6–8% per degree. Replacing incandescent bulbs with LED saves around 80% of lighting energy. If you have a DESCO prepaid meter, topping up in larger amounts qualifies you for the 0.5% rebate on every recharge.
Tip
Check your meter reading at the start and end of each month yourself. Compare it against the bill to catch any metering errors early — billing disputes are much easier to resolve before you have paid. With the June 2026 rate increase, a 250-unit household pays approximately ৳300 more per month than under the previous February 2024 rates.