Keys to reduce this expense
As you probably already know, the electricity bill is a key indicator to get an idea of how much you pay for electricity in a country. In this article, we not only compare electricity costs in France and Spain, but also offer you practical tips to reduce this monthly expense.
What are the electricity bills in France and Spain?
The electricity bill in France includes a monthly fee that depends on the contracted power and a variable term depending on the energy consumed, to which the following taxes are added:
- Three electricity taxes, two of them based on energy consumed, and one fixed.
- VAT, 20% for items that depend on energy consumption and 5.5% for fixed items.
On the other hand, the electricity bill in Spain also includes a monthly fee for the contracted power and a variable term for the energy consumed, however, the taxes are as follows:
- Electricity tax of 5.11% added to the fixed term and consumption.
- VAT at 21% on all the above items.
To get an idea, below is a comparison of the resulting bill in both countries, calculated with a power term of 5.5 kW and a monthly consumption of 150 kWh:
| EXPENSES INVOICE | FRANCE | SPAIN |
|---|---|---|
| Billing per contracted power (5.5 kW) | 5,19€ | 19,14€ |
| Billing for energy consumed (150 kW/h) | 13.78/kWh | 19,66€ |
| Electricity tax | 6,26€ | 1.98 (5.11% of the above two items) |
| Meter rental | No cost | 0,83€/month |
| VAT | 4.07 (5.5% of fixed items and 20% of consumption) | 8.74 (21% of all the above items) |
| TOTAL INVOICE | 29,30€ | 50,35€ |
The result is that a French family pays 41% less for electricity, despite a significantly higher standard of living.
Keys to reduce your electricity bill
Electricity is an increasingly valuable resource due to the growing scarcity of renewable energies for its production. Here are some steps you can take to reduce this monthly expense:
Reducing the contracted electrical power
Every month we pay a fixed term based on the kilowatts of contracted power, regardless of our actual consumption. This fixed term reflects how many electrical devices can be connected simultaneously in the home without power outages. Often, the contracted kW are higher than what we really need. Therefore, calculating the electrical power and adjust it to our needs can allow us to eliminate this unnecessary expense. To do so, you can use one of the many electric power calculators available online or request a report from the electric company in your area.
Reduce electricity consumption
Most of the cost of the bill is allocated to the cost of electricity, which rises or falls depending on the electricity consumption in each billing period. To reduce it, the key is to acquire good consumption habits such as the following:
- Install energy-saving LED lights to replace halogen and traditional bulbs.
- Use sunlight to naturally illuminate the house and heat it.
- Do not increase or decrease the temperature of the thermometer throughout the year, it should be maintained at 22°C.
- Inform us of the price of electricity today to adjust consumption to the cheapest hours. The kWh is usually divided into three periods, peak, flat and valley, the latter being the cheapest, which corresponds to the hours between 00 am and 8 am from Monday to Friday, and 24 hours on weekends and holidays.
- Replace old appliances with more efficient and energy-efficient ones, if possible, with the A or B energy label.
- Turn off lights and air conditioning systems whenever they are not being used in the different rooms.
Conclusion
In summary, although there are significant differences in electricity bill structures and electricity costs between France and Spain, there are effective ways to reduce these costs. By adjusting the contracted electrical power to our actual needs and adopting good energy consumption habits, we can make more efficient use of electricity and save on our monthly bills. It is important to remember that energy is a valuable resource and every small action we take to reduce our consumption not only benefits our pocketbook, but also the environment. By staying informed and aware of our consumption choices and habits, we can make a big difference in our energy spending and contribute to a more sustainable future. Remember that every little change adds up. Together, we can make our home and our world a greener, more efficient place. We hope this article has given you a clearer picture of the structure of electricity bills and how you can take steps to reduce your electricity costs. If you have any questions or need further advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
