Proper care of home appliances and gadgets will take care of your electricity bill. For example, proper usage and care of the fridge, unpluging machines that are not in use, buying energy-saving appliances, among others.
However, also make sure you have enough knowledge about your Yaka meter to handle any issues you might face.
Here are 5 Yaka codes and hacks you must have at your fingertips
Some of the challenges of having a Yaka meter include: the incessant beeping sound when the units are running low, unknowingly paying someone else' bill, unpredictable disconnect and inheriting large bills.
Here's how to handle each of these issues.
1. Silence Yaka beep by pressing 'Back Button'
The back button is in the left hand lower corner indicated with an arrow. Press it and hold for a few seconds until you hear a beep. Release after the beep and you will be noise-free for the next 12 hours.
To avoid the beep permanently, make sure you are always above 15 units.
2. Check ownership of Yaka Customer Interface Unit - #001#
If you have doubts about your bill, you might be paying someone else's luxurious bill. Swapping meters happens. To confirm ownership of right meter, turn on a light bulb close to the meter.
Press #001# and wait for power to go off temporarily for a second then come back on. If it doesn't go off, then that meter belongs to someone else.
3. Check meter number - #100#
If you have lost any record of the meter number or simply don't have time to look for it, press #100# on the meter and it will display the number.
4. How much time you have before disconnection - #074#
To avoid disconnections at inopportune moments or to simply plan, press #074# for an estimate of remaining time before automatic disconnect.
5. Yaka bill history - #073#
This comes in handy if you are not sure why there has been a disconnect and you cannot get in touch with customer care. You might also want to check the reason for the last disconnect if you are moving into a new house to avoid taking responsibility for former users. Press #073# for this information.
Calculating your bill
- There are hidden costs for the units displayed on your meter.
- The first 15 units are charged at Shs150 per unit.
- Additional units are charged at Shs520.6 per unit.
- The monthly service fee is Shs3,360.
- An 18% VAT cut on the overall bill.