The electricity bill is one of the fixed expenses that weighs most on the monthly budget and, although many consumers associate the increase only with consumption, there are less obvious factors that can also inflate the final value.
According to , regularly reviewing the contract, tariff and supplier can make a difference to your electricity bill. And Aneel remembers that the contracted power, for example, is a fixed cost that weighs every month, regardless of consumption.
The reason that may be causing the bill to rise
One of the most frequent factors is the contracted power, which corresponds to the maximum power that limits the operation of electrical equipment used at the same time.
Many consumers maintain higher power levels than necessary and, as a result, end up paying more every month without needing to. DECO PROteste, citing data from ERSE, says that adjusting the contracted power to needs can represent savings of between 20 and 30 euros per year for each step that can be lowered.
Rate chosen may not be the most appropriate
Another element that influences the value of the invoice is the type of tariff, namely the choice between a simple and two-hour tariff.
The bi-hourly rate allows for lower prices during certain periods, but it is not always worth it. According to DECO PROteste, this option tends to be advantageous when at least 50% of consumption occurs during off-peak hours. If this doesn’t happen, the flat rate may still be the best choice.
Invisible consumption also counts
Even when not in operation, many pieces of equipment continue to consume energy. ADENE explains that both standby consumption and so-called phantom consumption only disappear when the devices are unplugged.
Televisions, boxes and routers are among the most common examples. Therefore, using sockets with an on/off button or completely turning off equipment when not needed can help reduce waste.
Small habits can make a difference
In addition to contractual conditions, day-to-day habits continue to directly impact energy consumption.
Using equipment during the most favorable periods, avoiding unnecessary consumption and choosing more efficient programs are measures that can help lower your bill. Also replacing old lamps with LEDs continues to be one of the most repeated recommendations to reduce lighting costs.
Comparing suppliers can pay off
Another way to lower your electricity bill is to review your supplier. DECO PROteste recommends regular simulations, because rates change frequently and an offer that seemed advantageous a year ago may no longer be the most competitive.
Furthermore, ERSE provides an official simulator that compares the prices of commercial offers and helps consumers understand which proposal best suits their consumption profile. Changing supplier, as a rule, is free of charge.
Reviewing regularly can avoid overpaying
In the end, the electricity bill can rise for several reasons that go unnoticed: contracted power above what is necessary, wrong choice of tariff, invisible consumption or a contract that is no longer competitive.
Reviewing these points regularly is one of the simplest ways to avoid paying more than necessary. And, in an expense that weighs heavily every month, small corrections can translate into real savings throughout the year.
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