How to reduce the cost of your electricity bill - Utilities: Electric, gas and water recommendations and advice in Formentera Del Segura - Formentera Del Segura forum - Costa Blanca forum in the Alicante province of Spain
Car Key Solutions
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
Thy Will Be Done
Expat Services
Blacktower Financial Management
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
AA Free English TV
James Spanish School
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Gran Alacant Insurances
interior building work
Gentlevan Removals
Espana Dream Properties
ASSSA Insurance

Join the Formentera Del Segura forum

Join the Formentera Del Segura forumMy name's Alex and this is my website all about Formentera Del Segura in Spain. Register now for free to talk about Utilities: Electric, gas and water recommendations and advice in Formentera Del Segura and much more!

How to reduce the cost of your electricity bill

Posted: Mon Apr 5, 2021 8:57pm
68 replies2923 views13 members subscribed
Kimmy11

Kimmy11

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 6862

12546 helpful points

Joined: 8 Aug 2017

Hi all,

I've used Tony Poole of Sparks Electrical ( www.sparksinspain.es ) several times for things such as extending wiring and installing new sockets, installing ceiling fans and outdoor sockets.  I've always been pleased with his service and cost - and best of all, he always cleans up after himself!  Also, Tony's wife, Elaine, offered to review my electricity bill and recommended that we change to the Night Plan ("Plan Noche").  That was 4 years ago and I have to admit to not having reviewed our electricity supply since, so I was interested to receive this article from them today.  It may be of interest to other members.

Kind regards,

Kim

SPARKS ELECTRICAL SERVICES

We constantly hear people complaining that electricity is expensive in Spain. Social media is full of posts about the high cost of electricity and requests for advice about the cheapest provider. 

Well here is everything you need to know, how to reduce your bill and get the best possible deal on the market.
 
Understanding your electricity bill and knowing the correct tariff to sign up for is the key to save money.


Three key reasons for high electricity bills:

 
-  You are signed up for an expensive tariff, without even knowing. 

-  You are paying hidden extras, insurances and services you never use. 

-  You do not understand your bill, it all looks like gobbledygook.

If you think that you fall into any of the above traps, then read on…..
 
Contrary to what some people believe, IBERDROLA is the cheapest provider. You just have to know what to look for! 

If your contract is with IBERDROLA  CLIENTES (they’re the folk that IBERDROLA employ to run the high street points and the pop up stands in shopping centres and supermarkets), it is a FIXED price. IBERDROLA CLIENTES is similar to a franchise, which is called a “Marketeer” here in Spain.  It’s a facility set up with several options for their customers, including insurance policies and multiple language services.
 
If you have switched to another provider, initially, you get a honeymoon period with a slightly better deal, but you will probably end up paying more in the long run.  Ultimately, you are just paying a third party to pay IBERDROLA, as they own the whole infrastructure in this area.
 
Get Smart – how your smart meter can save you money:
 
Enter the new Variable Price for the Small Consumer (PVPC) now available from IBERDROLA, but this tariff is not available through IBERDROLA CLIENTES.
 
With the introduction of smart meters throughout Spain, consumers can take advantage of the real time fluctuating cost of producing electricity which is fixed daily by the government.  Basically, you can cut out the marketeers.
 
Go compare: 
 
The PVPC tariff is a basic contract with no extras, no thrills and no add ons.
 
Typical rates for the PVPC with Night Plan tariff per kWh:
 
Peak : 11.8 cents. Off Peak : 5.3 cents (daily average)
 
Compare the rates with IBERDROLA CLIENTES Night Plan per kWh:
 
Peak : 18.3 cents. Off Peak : 9.1 cents (fixed for 12 months)
 
The cost of the standing charge:
 
Regulated rate: 11.1 cents x contracted power (kW) x per day
 
CLIENTES: 12.3 cents x contracted power (kW) x per day
 
Contracted power = the amount of power you signed up for. Typical examples are 3.45 kW, 5.75 kW, 9.2 kW.
 
The bottom line: the PVPC tariff provides the lowest rates and standing charge currently available on the market.
 
Cut out the marketeers and see big savings on your electricity bill.

Peter3473

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 5:19am

Peter3473

Very helpful member

Posts: 988

900 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 21 Oct 2019

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 5:19am

www.sparksinspain.es

Pix Elated

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 6:51am

Pix Elated

Super helpful member

Posts: 1221

1067 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 13 Apr 2018

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 6:51am

I have my doubts about not so smart meters they have not exactly been a success story in the UK, pick up any money advice page and there will inevitably be a horror story about a so called smart meter.

Stevec61

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 9:52am

Stevec61

Super helpful member

Posts: 1430

1200 helpful points

Location: Playa Flamenca

Joined: 3 Jan 2016

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 9:52am

What started out as a helpful post giving advice and explaining electricity companies bills etc has now descended into a personal slight on the OP posting such information when all Kimmy was doing was passing on info that she had received, and viewed as being helpful, to others.....thanks Kimmy, it was much appreciated by myself 👍👍

VivienneAnn

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 10:41am

VivienneAnn

Helpful member

Posts: 258

434 helpful points

Joined: 7 Mar 2017

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 10:41am

Stevec61 wrote on Tue Apr 6, 2021 9:52am:

What started out as a helpful post giving advice and explaining electricity companies bills etc has now descended into a personal slight on the OP posting such information when all Kimmy was doing was passing on info that she had received, and viewed as being helpful, to others.....thanks Kimmy, ...

...it was much appreciated by myself 👍👍

Well said Stevec61, thank you I am sure you speak for many of us. 

Advertisement - posts continue below

Myra2020

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 10:46am

Myra2020

Helpful member

Posts: 278

290 helpful points

Location: Orihuela Costa

Joined: 19 Nov 2020

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 10:46am

I agree with these last 2 posts. It was helpful information and much appreciated.

Kimmy11

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 12:42pm

Kimmy11

Original Poster

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 6862

12546 helpful points

Joined: 8 Aug 2017

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 12:42pm

Hi Peter,

Many thanks for posting the website link, I've also updated my OP to add it for completeness.

Kind regards,

Kim

Kimmy11

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 1:02pm

Kimmy11

Original Poster

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 6862

12546 helpful points

Joined: 8 Aug 2017

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 1:02pm

Stevec61 wrote on Tue Apr 6, 2021 9:52am:

What started out as a helpful post giving advice and explaining electricity companies bills etc has now descended into a personal slight on the OP posting such information when all Kimmy was doing was passing on info that she had received, and viewed as being helpful, to others.....thanks Kimmy, ...

...it was much appreciated by myself 👍👍

Many thanks, Steve, I'm glad you found the information helpful - me too!  From my experience, Spanish electricity prices are as emotive for home owners here - permanent and holiday home owners alike - as Spanish bank fees! 😄

Villas' extract of the forum's rules support my action - I'm not connected to Sparks Electrical, other than as a customer (which I put in the opening paragraph of my original post, but somehow RobertBB seems to have missed that) and I haven't PM'd the information to anyone.  I'd be surprised if Alex did have a problem with my post - not only have I recommended Sparks at least a dozen times since I first used them, I was grateful to receive the recommendation for them from another member on this forum in the first place👍

Kind regards,  

Kim

elinspain

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 1:05pm

elinspain

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 3214

4095 helpful points

Location: La Mata

Joined: 4 May 2018

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 1:05pm

Hi 

Brilliant info Kim, how many times do people suggest moving to another company to save money. I knew it wasn't a good idea but  didnt have all the reasons why... now I have an explanation from a recommended electrical company as to why it's not worthwhile,  so I can pass that information  on with confidence

Thanks

Elinspain

Pix Elated

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 1:25pm

Pix Elated

Super helpful member

Posts: 1221

1067 helpful points

Location: Villamartin

Joined: 13 Apr 2018

Posted: Tue Apr 6, 2021 1:25pm

On the face of it sounds ok, but what's in it for Sparks? Doubt they are doing it for altruistic reasons.

Sign up for free or login to reply to this topic

Want to reply to this topic? Login or register for free to post your message:

Find more Utilities topics from a particular area:


Register for free!

Login to your account

Car Key Solutions
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
Thy Will Be Done
Expat Services
Blacktower Financial Management
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
AA Free English TV
James Spanish School
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Gran Alacant Insurances
interior building work
Gentlevan Removals
Espana Dream Properties
ASSSA Insurance
Advertise your business here
Advertise your property
Help with my computer