When we think about hiring an electricity rate for our home, many of us have doubts about when is light more expensiveThere are several types of tariffs depending on the hours of consumption and the appliances you usually use at that time. It is very important to adjust our routines and habits in order to pay as little as possible for electricity.
In this article we will explain in detail when is light more expensive and what rates are recommended depending on your habits.
Different electricity rates
Among the rates available for homes, there is a very interesting option: the rate with time discrimination. However, it is little known, since only the 5% of consumers has it contracted. This rate allows you to save in the long term as you adjust your consumption to the periods of lower price.
With the hourly discrimination, you pay for electricity based on the time of day: two or more rate bands that differentiate between peak and off-peak hours. This is ideal if you can organize your daily life to use the most energy-intensive appliances during the cheapest hours.
The savings that can be obtained with this rate are significant, since during the off-peak hours (usually during the night hours) the cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) is much lower. This rate is perfect for those who can adjust their consumption to the most economical periods.
When is light more expensive in time discrimination?
To make the most of the time-of-use tariff, it is crucial to change some habits and plan the use of household appliances. Appliances such as the washing machine, dishwasher and oven should preferably be used during the cheapest hours, i.e. during the off-peak hours.
Time discrimination gives us two clear periods in which we know when electricity is more expensive (peak hours) and when it is cheaper (off-peak hours). Below we show you the details of both periods:
- Peak hours: In winter, they are from 12 noon to 10 pm. In summer, they are from 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm. During these hours, the price of kWh is higher due to the higher demand.
- Off-peak hours: These correspond to the night hours, from 10:00 pm to 12:00 pm (noon) in winter, and from 11:00 pm to 1:00 pm in summer. During this time period, electricity is cheaper.
These schedules are maintained throughout the week. Therefore, you should be careful when using appliances during the highest cost times, as this could increase your bill significantly.
Differences between time discrimination and night rate
Some people often refer to the “night rate” as an option similar to time discrimination. However, there are important differences. The night rate ceased to exist in 2008 when the government decided to reform it and change its name to hourly discrimination, introducing several improvements.
The main differences are:
- In the night rate, rush hour was a 35% more expensive and the off-peak hours a 55% cheaperHowever, off-peak hours only lasted 8 hours.
- With the hourly discrimination, peak hours are still 35% more expensive, but off-peak hours are only XNUMX% more expensive. 47% cheaper although lasting 14 hours.
This means that, although savings are not as high as before during off-peak hours, the biggest advantage is having more time (14 hours a day) at reduced prices.
Comparison of rates and companies
When choosing a time-of-use tariff, it is important to research the offers of different energy companies. Some examples of popular tariffs include:
- Endesa One Luz 3 Periods: It offers three different prices, distributed in off-peak, flat and peak hours. The energy supplied in the off-peak period is considerably cheaper.
- Iberdrola Night Plan: It allows you to take advantage of the 14 hours of reduced rates (off-peak hours), ideal if you concentrate most of your energy consumption at night.
- Repsol Time Discrimination Rate: Applicable in two power periods, offering lower prices during off-peak hours. This option also extends to weekends and national holidays.
It is important to compare the options of the free market and the regulated market to find the most suitable rate based on your consumption habits.
How to save with a time-of-use tariff?
To maximize savings by using a time-of-use tariff, here are some practical tips:
- Program your appliances: Use timers to run high-consumption appliances, such as the washing machine or dishwasher, during off-peak hours.
- Take advantage of the sunlight hours: Using natural light can reduce energy usage during peak hours. This is especially relevant if you have a solar self-consumption tariff or plans to install solar panels.
- Check your power contract: Adjust your contracted power to ensure you are not overpaying for kilowatts you do not need.
With proper planning, consumers can achieve significant savings on their energy bills over time.
In short, choosing the most suitable rate for your daily consumption is key. Time-of-use is an excellent option if you are willing to change some habits and move your energy use to the most economical hours. Taking advantage of weekends and evenings for high consumption can make a significant difference in your monthly electricity bill.