Tips to save on electricity bills

The rise in the electricity bill was not part of the Spanish plans. Different circumstances have generated a situation of increase in the rate that has led many families to make decisions to reduce this expense. From the comparison of commercial proposals to the solar self-consumption, ideas cover many aspects and spark ingenuity with the sole objective of optimizing resources and achieving the best conditions at the right cost. Despite the difficult context, there are tools and tricks to pay a fair and proportional price.

The first step is to know our consumption habits. Each household works with greater or lesser intensity at certain times of the day, without forgetting that the level of expenditure changes considerably between a dwelling with a single member and another that welcomes a large family. Carrying out a preliminary analysis of the situation is important and it must include different aspects such as the frequency of use of electrical appliances and the reasons, or the hours in which they work. Only in this way can solutions be sought, either by way of a change in the conditions of the rate or through the search for alternatives.. The change in the regulation of the electricity bill gave citizens more room to decide when they want to use their appliances at the best possible price. A household that is practically empty in the morning can opt for a reduced price rate in the afternoon and evening hours. Those who maintain a regularity in their consumption throughout the day, will then find a greater benefit in a flat rate, which maintains the same price for twenty-four hours. The key is knowing how we work at home and looking for the best choice. Many Spaniards have not carried out this process and would be surprised if they carried it out and knew the savings they could obtain.

Another solution related to consumption habits is related to the characteristics of the appliances used. Here too it is worth making a little analysis of the situation. A family with many members uses more frequently certain appliances such as the washing machine and the dishwasher. Investment in these objects is profitable. In this sense, it is advisable to look for options that, although they are more expensive in the market, consume much less due to their high level of energy efficiency, and this translates into a reduction in the bill. Payback is usually achieved in one or two years and, considering that these are tools whose useful life lasts for almost a decade, changing appliances can be a good idea.

Watch the heater

The water heater is one of the objects that can cause the most expense without us realizing it. We do not see the power light every time we activate the hot water, but this does not mean that its cost is reduced. Analyzing the monthly expense and looking for alternatives in the market can be a good option. We must not even rule out the possibility of install photovoltaic panels dedicated exclusively to heating water. This idea is profitable for houses with at least four people, where the shower is running for several hours and every day.

Solar self-consumption

The idea of ​​investing to reduce the electricity bill also applies to the general cost of housing. That is, the total energy consumption necessary to live in good conditions. A home that cannot reduce spending without reducing energy consumption, then can find the best solution in self-consumption. This concept finds a high level of profitability in single family homes, where spending is usually higher, and those located in rural areas. Cooling and heating this type of home is more complex, and the economic cost is higher. Many of these houses have outdoor lights or a pool, which adds to the expense. Both in this housing model, as well as in apartments and neighborhood communities, self-consumption can be very useful. The aid from the central, regional and local governments for the installation of solar energy makes this investment more profitable and studies suggest that profitability can be found in a period not exceeding seven years.

alternative tricks

Analysis and money investments are not always the best remedy for beat the heat in summer or the cold in winter without having an exorbitant cost. Opening the windows at night and lowering the blinds or drawing the curtains during the hours with the highest incidence of sun are actions that help keep the house at an optimal temperature during the hottest months. The creation of air currents, however crazy they may seem, also help, especially at bedtime. If the objective is to heat the house, avoid excessive ventilation or try to accumulate heat in a certain point.