Consumption is kWh, not only cedis
Your prepaid meter measures energy in kilowatt-hours (kWh). GHS on the screen is remaining credit after tariffs, levies, and any debt recovery. To see how much power the house used, read kWh (and how fast credit falls), not MoMo history alone.
On the meter LCD
- Wake the display. Many meters cycle automatically: credit → kWh total or remaining → date/time → meter ID.
- Note remaining credit and any kWh figure. Photograph the screen once a week at the same hour.
- On split meters, trust the CIU for credit; the pole unit is for ECG technicians.
There is no universal “press 6 for consumption” code that works on every brand in Ghana. If the screen never shows kWh, use receipts (below) and weekly credit photos.
From token SMS / receipts
Each vend SMS often lists units (kWh) purchased for that amount. Keep last month’s messages. If GH₵100 suddenly buys far fewer units, look at tariff block, levies, or debt recovery — not a “broken” Ewale channel. Same meter, same PURC blocks, should be comparable week to week.
What high consumption usually is
- Fridge/freezer running poorly (door seal, dust on coils, hot food in).
- AC, iron, water heater, and old incandescent bulbs.
- Shared meter: extra rooms or a neighbour on the same number.
Online charts: check usage online. Balance only: meter balance.