How Can I Keep My Electricity Usage Under 800 kWh?
Learn why staying at 800 kWh or below matters, how much more you could pay above the threshold, and how to track your daily TNB electricity usage.
Cover image via SAYSKeeping an eye on your usage during the billing period can help you understand where your electricity is going and spot increases early.
TNB announced on 17 September 2026 that the exemption threshold for domestic electricity users will be raised from 600kWh to 800kWh a month. This means households using up to 800kWh will be exempt from AFA, the 8% service tax, and RM10 retail charge from September to December 2026.
For a 30-day billing period, 800 kWh works out to an average of about 26.66 kWh a day.
That does not mean you need to use exactly 26.66 kWh every day. Think of it as a simple reference point for understanding whether your household is roughly on track for 800 kWh by the end of the billing period.
Some days will naturally be higher and others lower, depending on factors such as school holidays, working from home or having more people in the house can increase cooling, entertainment and appliance use. A new appliance or a change in the operating hours of an existing appliance can also affect consumption. What matters is your total electricity consumption across the billing period.
That AFA exemption matters because electricity generation costs can change even when your own usage stays the same. Global fuel prices can rise, the ringgit can weaken, or supply disruptions can make electricity more expensive to generate. AFA reflects those changes from month to month, while households using 800 kWh or less are protected from that charge.
What happens when electricity usage goes above 800 kWh?
Going just above 800 kWh can add more than the cost of the extra electricity alone.
Once monthly domestic consumption exceeds 800 kWh, several things change:
- the AFA exemption ends;
- the RM10 Retail Charge applies;
- the Energy Efficiency Incentive becomes smaller; and
- 8% Service Tax applies to the taxable consumption above 800 kWh for billing periods of 28 days or longer.
AFA is calculated using the electricity consumed in the month multiplied by the applicable AFA rate.
How many kWh can I use per day to stay at 800 kWh or below?
For a 30-day month, 800 kWh works out to an average of 26.66 kWh per day. But you do not need to use exactly 26.66 kWh every day.
| Billing period | Average to stay at 800 kWh |
| 28 days | 28.57 kWh/day |
| 30 days | 26.66 kWh/day |
| 31 days | 25.80 kWh/day |
Some days will naturally be higher than others. The important number is your average across the full billing period.
How much electricity should I have used halfway through the month?
In a 30-day billing period, around 400 kWh by Day 15 keeps you roughly on a 800 kWh pace.
A simple guide is:
| Day | Rough 800 kWh pace |
| Day 5 | 133 kWh |
| Day 10 | 266 kWh |
| Day 15 | 400 kWh |
| Day 20 | 533 kWh |
| Day 25 | 666 kWh |
| Day 30 | 800 kWh |
This gives you time to react. If you have already used 450 kWh by Day 15, for example, you are averaging more than the 26.66 kWh-per-day pace needed for a 30-day month.
How can I check if I am close to 800 kWh?
Customers with a smart meter can use the Daily Usage View and Energy Budget features in the myTNB app to monitor electricity consumption. Do not wait for the monthly bill to find out.
Check the total used so far and compare it with your target for that point in the month. A few high-use days are not necessarily a problem. A consistent upward trend is more important.
Why does my daily electricity usage suddenly increase?
Changes in operating time can push up kWh quickly.
Hot weather can lead to longer air-conditioner use. More people staying at home can mean more cooling, cooking, entertainment, and appliance use.
A new appliance can also change your normal daily consumption.
If your usage jumps, think about what changed in the home during the same period.
The goal is to find the cause early, while there is still time to manage the rest of the month's consumption.
Should I aim for exactly 800 kWh?
It is safer to leave some room below 800 kWh if your household normally sits close to the threshold.
A target of exactly 800 kWh leaves no buffer for hotter days, visitors, extra laundry, or other changes late in the month.
For example, a household averaging 18 or 19 kWh per day has more breathing room than one consistently averaging exactly 26.66 kWh.
You do not need to make your home uncomfortable just to reach a number. The useful habit is to know your normal usage and catch unnecessary increases before they build up.
Does every household need to stay at 800 kWh or below?
No. Every household has different electricity needs. A smaller household that is empty for much of the working day may naturally use less electricity than a larger family where several people are at home throughout the day.
Cooling requirements, the size of the home, household size, working arrangements and the type and number of electrical appliances all affect consumption.
The purpose of monitoring your electricity use is not to make your home uncomfortable just to reach a particular number. It is to understand your normal consumption, recognise when it changes and make informed decisions about how electricity is being used.
Even if your household normally consumes more than 800 kWh, using electricity more efficiently can still reduce overall consumption and help manage your electricity bill.
FAQ
Is 800 kWh or 799 kWh the TNB limit?
The exemption applies to domestic customers using 800 kWh or below per month. You do not need to stay at 799 kWh.
Does AFA apply if I use exactly 800 kWh?
No. TNB states that domestic customers with total consumption of 800 kWh or below are exempt from AFA charges.
Does AFA apply to the whole bill if I use 801 kWh?
AFA is calculated by multiplying the applicable AFA rate by the electricity consumed in the month. The exemption applies only when total domestic consumption is 800 kWh or below.
How much is the Retail Charge above 800 kWh?
The current Domestic General Tariff has a RM10 monthly Retail Charge. It is waived when total monthly consumption is 800 kWh or below.
Can I track my kWh before my TNB bill arrives?
Yes. Smart-meter customers can use myTNB's Daily Usage View and Energy Budget features to monitor consumption during the month.
Last updated: 8 October 2026
This article is sponsored by Tenaga Nasional Berhad.
