By now, almost everyone knows that consuming the same amount of electricity at different times can result in more or less consumption . In fact, the price related to consumption is not evenly distributed across all time slots.
On certain days and times of the week, the demand for electricity increases , while on other days it decreases. For example, much more electricity is required during the day than at night. The reason is quite simple: during working hours, shops, offices and factories remain open and consume a lot of electricity. On the contrary, the demand for light decreases at night and during holidays, when all commercial and economic activities slow down.
Logically, this dynamic also affects electricity prices. Therefore, by adapting to the change in rates in the different consumption bands, it is possible to save and cut costs on the electricity bill .
What does the price of electricity depend on?
Electricity billing is done by calculating the kWh consumed by the user by the applied price. However, the matter is not so simple, as there are several components within the bill , each of which has a price that depends on external factors. The first factor is raw materials, whose abundance or scarcity may depend on geopolitical conditions.
Not in vain, Europe has long sought greater energy independence by reducing imports of hydrocarbons (gas and oil) from abroad. An objective that requires large investments that end up being reflected in citizens' bills.
In particular, the strong growth of renewable sources affects energy production costs.
In addition, these sources depend on certain climatic condi japan mobile number list tions that can increase or decrease their availability and consequently alter their price. That said, the energy we consume is generally a mix of all sources , so the final price is also a sum of all these factors. Finally, other elements that affect the price of the electricity bill are taxes on energy and climate.
The different time zones
In Spain there are two different energy markets:
The free market , where the kWh costs what is established in the contract signed by the user with the various marketing companies in the country, according to different plans and offers.
The regulated market , where the price depends on supply and demand. The trading companies participate in auctions in which a different price is established for each hour of each day, without the possibility of anticipating it.
During peak demand, the price is higher. That is why Saturday and Sunday are the days with the lowest rates. The new feature is that, from June 2021, there will be only one access rate: the 2.0TD. A system based on three price bands will be implemented , different depending on the time and day.
From Monday to Friday, there will be 3 time slots: peak, flat and off-peak. Consumption during off-peak hours will be much cheaper, almost half as much, coinciding with the times of least activity: between midnight and 8 a.m. Electricity will be more expensive during the central hours : from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. On the other hand, it will have an intermediate price from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., useful for those who cannot put on a washing machine in the middle of the night.
On the other hand, the 24 hours on Saturdays and Sundays will be considered off-peak hours , without time distinctions. The same applies to national holidays with a fixed date. For example, December 6 or May 1.
How expenses are distributed
The average annual electricity consumption per household in Spain is 3,487 kWh , with single-family homes being considerably more “energy-hungry”, with an estimated consumption of 3,754 kWh compared to 3,373 kWh for flats. Of course, average consumption also depends on the number of people living in a household and its geographical location.
As for how energy costs are distributed , there can be a big difference if the heating is gas or electric. In the latter case, this would be the main part, responsible for more than half of the total cost. The same applies to the kitchen if it has gas, ceramic or induction cooktops.
