Electricity Charges

Hi All,

I have been checking Iberdola charges over the last 12 months and it seems that I am paying a standard contracted charge every 2 months of around 20 euros - this is before we use any electricity. See below:

5.75 kW x 42 days x 0.062804 €/kW day
5.75 kW x 15 days x 0.062804 €/kW day

We also then seem to be charged extortionate rates as follows:

0.129953 €/kwh
0.138613 €/kwh

Should I be on a different scheme for low use. We don't live here and only let family and friends us the appartment.

I reckon we are here for 60 days max.

Any help much a appreciated.

And all the best to Condado club - a welcome addition to the resort

Tez

Hi

I was just wondering if anyone had been able to shed any light on this post?  We have the same issue. 

We switch off the electicity supply when we leave the apartment, so i don't really get why Iberdola are still takiing money when there has actually been no electric used in the apartment since October 2011...

Has anyone switched to a different supplier or managed to find a cheaper tarrif - assuming that's actually possible?

David

 

Hi David & Tez  + Others

Electric and water supply in Spain is different to UK.  You pay a "Standing Charge" for both per month whether you use it or not.

Your electric standing charge is based on your "Potencia contratada" - my understanding of this is that  you estimate what your MAXIMUM power usage at any one time may be.  and choose a potencia close to your MAX usuage.  I see your potencia is 5.75KW. As a guidance, you kettle will be 2-3Kw, your immersion will be 1.2Kw+, your cooker,depending on what all you switch on will be at least 2+Kw.  So switch them all on to their full capacity and you will soon reach your potencia.  Think then if you add 2 or 3 A/C units at 1Kw per unit, you may need a higher potencia.  Think we are tied to 1 supplier Iberdrola at present - open to correction.

Because I would be installing A/C units I choose a potencia of 8.05kw @ 0.064688 €/kw dia.

*****(We also then seem to be charged extortionate rates as follows:

0.129953 €/kwh
0.138613 €/kwh)*****  HAVE YOU LOOKED RECENTLY WHAT YOU ARE PAYING IN THE UK??!!

At the end of the day YES you will pay more for electric in Spain as a NON RESIDENT.  As a permanant resident I think you  would come close to UK costs if you compare price per kw unit in both countries but in Spain factor in your standing charges over the kw units used per year.

WHY DOES NO-ONE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE THINGS THAT ARE CHEAPER IN SPAIN.  THE MONEY SAVED ON BOOZE CIGS AND EATING OUT ALONE MORE THAN PAYS MY ELECTRIC BILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards

Peter

 

Peter

Thanks for the info.  Had'nt appreciated the standing charges, which is obviously what goes out every couple of months.

We're on a 3.45kw potencia (paying 0.136276 €/kwh)!  We've only had the place for 1 year and don't use a great deal of power so that's been fine so far but, we're looking to install a/c before the summer... 

We're over in a couple of weeks so may well look at changing things.  If we need to change, do you know if this is simply done over the phone/online by Iberdrola or whether an engineer will need to visit the apartment to swap anything over?

David

Hi David,

I was really lucky with the estate agent I purchased through and he knew what "potencia" I would probably need and signed me up for this from day one.  Therefore I have no knowledge of how to increase this at a later date. Guess you should talk to an electrician.  Here I can help.

I can't add links yet but try the following:

condadodealhamaservices (dot)com/blog/

Look down the ads on the right hand side until you find "JSE Electrical Services".  James should be able to advise.

Ph 673576441 - James lives in Naranjos3

I would also reccomend that you look at the ad he has above this for "Voltsheild".  This is whole apartment surge protection. In Spain the electrical supply is "dirty", ie. it surges up and down and electronic circiuts in your tv, pc, washing machine etc don't like this and it can "fry" them beyond repair.  Well worth what he charges to install it.

Hope this is of some help

Regards

Peter

 You can change your contract by visiting the Office in Puerto Mazarron just take your Latest Bill with you.

We were originally on the "Verde" Tariff and for years paid more per KW then we changed to standard now we have the Night and Day Tariff as we live here permanently and it is better for us but will not be worthwhile for holiday use.

As for Air con think twice it uses a lot of Electric? we fitted Louvre shutters and our rooms were so cool last year we never used the Air con at all. And for winter we heat whole house with 1 3.4 KW Gas Fire.

 

Hi

About A/C units - I got 3 of them, do both heating and cooling - power draw about 2.9kw.

Gas - from what I read make sure and get a licence or else your home insurance may be invalidated if anything was to happen with the gas.

Swings and round-abouts  ---- each to their own.

Regards

Peter

Worries me when I hear a gas fire in a apt, I assume you mean with a gas bottle, and what safety measures do you use for ventilation, carbon monoxide build up, because no flues are fitted, so you would have to keep a window open, and never use while you are asleep. be very careful, we have air con, and the power consumption is very low compared to the heat output, they are now very efficient.