NEW ELECTRIC CHARGES

[roger]

Householders in Spain will be wise to keep an eye on the time when using domestic appliances from 1 June, as changes which come into effect on that date could mean lower bills if electrical items are used outside peak hours. Even people who make no changes at all could benefit from a reduction of 3.4 per cent, which for an average bill of 60 euros would be a saving of a couple of euros, according to the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC).
The days will be divided into three consumption periods: peak, which is the most expensive, between 10am and 2pm and from 6pm to 10pm; flat, from 8am to 10am, 2pm to 6pm and 10pm to midnight; and low, which is the cheapest, between midnight and 8am, and also weekends and public holidays.
However, there are some 'buts' to this new scheme. First, consumers who are already on the nighttime tariff will be charged two euros a month more. Second, people will need to change their habits to gain the most benefit.
For example, the CNMC says that a household could save up to 300 euros a year by not using several appliances at the same time (such as the washing machine and the cooker), or by charging electric vehicles at night instead of during the day. It estimates that electricity in the lowest periods of the day will be up to 95 per cent cheaper than during peak times. Even doing the ironing during the cheap period instead of peak times can save about 38 euros a year.
The Commission also says it is aware that this new way of encouraging people to change the times they use electrical appliances could lead to further modifications in the future, depending on the load on the electricity supply at certain times. However, no great changes are expected to occur to the consumption curve in the next two years. "In fact, not that many households changed their habits after the last modifications," say sources there.

[Roscoe]

I have already got into the habit of programming the washing machine and dishwasher to start after midnight, but will have to change beds and towels at the weekend, but hey I can have the washing machine on all day Saturday and Sunday.

[roger]

I this this only applies to people who are not on an existing night rate but are on the variable market rate.
But not clear.
I know many people have been informed by their supplier.
I have endesa night rate and received no information.
But anyway I try to use electric when the sun shines.
So not today!!

[Drax]

The thing to remember about electricity is that if something warms up when it's switched on, it's spinning the meter faster. Think of the old lightbulbs that got hot compared to the modern ones.

Washing machines don't use too much on 40 or 60 degree settings, the water in the pipes is usually hotter 
Kettles are big users, only boil enough water for your cups or the minimum level.

[frankie]

Like you Roger, I have not had any notification from Endesa which is provided via Iberdrola.  I am also on the cheap night rate.  I will be calling in to see them tomorrow...

[Drax]

I found a summary in LaVoz which they had republished from this - the original article:
 

Encouraging consumption in the hours when it is less consumed and simplifying the items are two of the objectives of the new electricity bill that comes into effect on June 1. Jorge Morales, an industrial engineer and author of the book 'Goodbye Oil', believes that the changes are going in the right direction and that, in the long term, it leads to savings by not having to continue increasing supply networks.

"That is the line, whoever pollutes, pays," he clarifies.

Morales appreciates that rates are simplified and that there are no arbitrations as up to now that "caused some companies to take advantage of people with less knowledge to transfer them from one rate to another and obtain more benefits"

The worst part is that for too many hours a day, from ten in the morning to two in the afternoon and from six in the evening to ten at night on weekdays, it leaves consumers with too high a price : "This has to do with with the charges of the system. And I trust that this impact will soften when the sustainability law is applied, which takes some costs out of the electricity bill, precisely the charges that are those that trigger that price at peak times to other sectors such as oil. and gas ".



The National Markets and Competition Commission calculates an average reduction of 3.4% for the 19 million consumers covered by the regulated tariff (PVPC). In a written sense, the savings per household will depend on when they make use of electricity since different rates are established according to the schedule. There are several keys to take into account when saving on the new electricity bill.

Avoid fixed price fees
Jorge Morales calls the fixed price rates, the scam rates.

"You have to flee from fixed-price rates. They are easily 30 or 40% more expensive than variable-price rates. If until now these rates were not recommended, now less, to the extent that your electricity company does not It will cost the same as you put the washing machine in a rush hour as in a valley hour. If your company always sets the rates for you at the same price, it is because it is homogenizing them from above, "he clarifies.

Schedule appliances in off-peak hours
"Know the schedules and try to program some household appliances that are easily programmable or retardable such as the dishwasher, electric heaters, and air conditioning, etc. and move them to a more suitable time. Do not consume immediately, but think about what time that consumption can be optimized ", explains Jorge Morales.

Assess the purchase of photovoltaic solar panels
The bulk of the expensive hours is concentrated in hours of sunshine, which is why Jorge Morales believes that evaluating the acquisition of photovoltaic solar panels is a good option.

"It is the best that can be done now in Spain, besides that there is more incentive than before. The main saving in the electricity bill is through self-consumption. That is, that one can be self-sufficient, even partially from that energy electricity that would otherwise have to buy from the grid, "he explains.

Do not turn on several appliances at the same time
Try not to turn on several appliances at the same time; for example, washing machine and kitchen or iron, can lead to savings of between 200 and 300 euros per year, according to the CNMC.

Iron in off-peak hours
Another example of savings for the CNMC is the use of the iron. If it is done during off-peak hours, its cost can decrease by 38 euros a year.


Quick guide to understand the new electricity bill
There are different factors when it comes to understanding the new invoice that, in general, is simplified.

What does the new receipt include?
The new electricity bill includes discrimination by hours and simplification of rates. Consumers with a contracted power of less than 15 kW will go from having six tariffs to just one.

The key to everything is that you are going to pay according to the time you consume. There are three time periods : tip, flat and valley.

What are the time slots?
Peak hours (the most expensive): between 10:00 and 14:00 and 18:00 and 22:00. They are eight hours a day and from Monday to Friday.
Best hours (the cheapest): between midnight and eight in the morning. And it will apply during all hours on weekends and holidays.
Flat hours (those of intermediate cost): between 8:00 and 10:00, 14:00 and 18:00 and between 22:00 and 00:00.

How much cheaper is it in off-peak hours?
The CNMC indicates that consumption can be 95% cheaper in off-peak hours than in peak hours.

What is the breakdown of the new electricity bill?
About 55% of the bill are charges (32.6%) and tolls (22%). 24.1% corresponds to the cost of energy and 21.4% to taxes.

Tolls are the costs of electricity transmission and distribution networks. The charges refer to the costs associated with the promotion of renewables , extra-peninsular ones and the nualities of the tariff deficit.

What does the consumer have to do?
The change will be automatic for customers with the regulated rate (PVPC). Consumers who are in the free market, which are around 17 million, should study the offers with the electricity company with which they have a contract.

Why does the electricity bill change?
The CNMC indicates that the objective of the new tolls and charges is to encourage efficient electricity consumption and for the consumer to play a relevant role in decarbonization.

The intention is to ensure that the amount of the bill depends "more on when than on how much is consumed" and that you save by moving your consumption towards off-peak hours, compared to peak hours.

There will be two different powers
With the new electricity bill we will also have two powers. One, somewhat cheaper than now, during the day from Monday to Friday, and another much cheaper, during the night and on weekends.

If we do nothing we will have the same power all day. What is clear is that, at the same power, the fixed term of the receipt will be somewhat cheaper than now.

It must be made clear that these rates are not about the price of electricity but about charges and tolls that are also reflected in the bill.

[ramblagirl]

Frankie how did you get on at Iberdrola when you went?

[frankie]

I was unable to find anywhere to park, so did not stop.

[ramblagirl]

If you go on to your Iberdrola customer area where it tells you consumption and estimate for the month it is all explained on there.

[frankie]

Thanks Rambla girl am checking it out now....