Electricity hike: how to save on your electricity bill

Undoubtedly, one of our main objectives this summer will be to save energy on our bills at the end of each month. On 1 June, the increase in electricity prices came into effect, soaring by 42% during the first seven days of this month for the average user, compared to last year, according to FACUA – Consumers in Action.

The bill for that first week amounted to 86 euros, making it the third most expensive in history, only surpassed by the first quarter of 2012 and the month of January 2017. The Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) recommends using household appliances within the cheapest range, the off-peak tariff (00:00 – 08:00 hours from Monday to Friday and throughout the weekend and holidays).

The other two less recommended tariffs are the flat rate, which is distributed in three time bands from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 10:00 hours, 14:00 to 18:00 hours and from 22:00 to 00:00 hours. Meanwhile, the peak timetable applies from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), from 10:00 to 14:00 hours and from 18:00 to 22:00 hours, and is the timetable where the price per kWh (kilowatt hour) is the most expensive.

Being aware of the existence of these three bands is key to achieving savings on our bills, especially during the summer month, as the difference in consumption during peak hours, which are higher, and off-peak hours, which are cheaper, represents a difference of 130 euros.

So, in this article we are going to give you a series of tips on how to save on your electricity bill without having to spend a hot summer in your home.

In this guide we told you about the health benefits of using ceiling fans compared to air conditioning, but not only that, the use of fans is one of our best options for keeping our homes cool and making significant savings at the end of the month. But, not only that, the use of fans is one of our best options for keeping our homes cool and making significant savings at the end of the month. Did you know that using one of these devices on first speed is less than the consumption of a mobile phone charger?

As stated by the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDEA) in the ‘Practical Guide to Energy‘, a ceiling fan can keep our room at an acceptable comfort temperature, as the movement of the air produces a sensation of a drop in temperature of between 3°C and 5°C, and its consumption is minimal, as well as being ecological and environmentally friendly.

The main reason why a ceiling fan is more economical lies in its motor type: AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current).

• AC motors convert electricity into a rotational motion that moves the blades to generate airflow. These fans are characterised by being quiet and efficient.
• DC motors transform electrical energy into mechanical energy due to the magnetic field created by the magnets inside the motor, thus making the movement of the blades possible. Thanks to these magnets, there is no friction between the motor components, improving energy efficiency and extending the life of the device.

Thus, the main difference between these two types of motors lies in the fact that DC motors are ultra-quiet and consume less energy, as there is no friction. This saves up to 70% of electricity consumption compared to an AC motor.

In addition, another essential point, which has arrived with the advance of home automation and which represents a step forward in saving on the electricity bill, are the fans that have a built-in uSense thermostat. The fan detects the ambient temperature of the room and automatically adjusts the speed of rotation, saving energy in our homes.

Other products that are not only environmentally friendly but also help us to reduce our electricity bill are solar lamps and LED bulbs.

If you are still using filament bulbs, this is probably the best time to replace them with LED bulbs, which are more efficient and consume less energy, as an LED bulb consumes 80% less than a traditional bulb.

Solar lamps, on the other hand, are the best solution against rising electricity prices, as they are not connected to the electricity grid. This type of lamp incorporates a solar panel that transforms solar energy into electricity and stores it in its batteries. This is a process they carry out on a daily basis to emit light at night at zero cost.

As we have seen, with the rise in electricity prices, saving energy has become a challenge for many households, but there are products and methods that can help us to reduce our electricity bill. Some of the most important recommendations are:

• Ventilate our home during the cooler hours to reduce the temperature in the rooms, especially early in the morning and in the evening.
• Try to set the temperature in the rooms at 26ºC, which is the ideal level, as each degree less increases the price of the bill by 8%. If possible, it is advisable to buy fans with a thermostat to help us save energy.
• Use awnings, blinds and curtains at peak hours to reduce the high temperatures in your home.
• Install a ceiling fan to help us keep our room acclimatised with less energy consumption, and it is also important to place it away from areas where the sun shines the most.
• Review the contracted power, since, according to a study carried out in Spain, only two out of ten Spaniards (21%) are happy with the amount of their bill. Meanwhile, 64% consider that they pay too much for the energy they consume and 13% are not sure if their tariff is the most appropriate for their consumption.

The rise in electricity prices has been a serious problem for many Spanish households, but we cannot ignore the fact that it will help us to learn to consume energy responsibly. Improving the insulation of homes, taking advantage of the cooler hours to ventilate, using fans or solar panels is not only beneficial for our pocket, but also to be more committed to the planet.