Do you know the hourly discrimination applied to the hourly light rate ? It is an electric mode that establishes a price for the kilowatt hour that is cheaper at night than during the day. With this type of rate you can save up to 30% on your electricity bill .
Electricity markets in Spain: free and regulated
In the Spanish electricity scene we find two different markets . If you want to know if you are in one or the other, you just have to look at your bill. Do you know what these markets are and why they are characterized?
- The regulated market is the one that works with the PVPC hourly light rate, the price of which changes from day to day and hour to hour. This occurs according to supply and demand between those in charge of producing the energy (generating company) and those selling it (trading company).
- On the contrary, in the free market you can find the rates of the almost 100 trading companies that compete in this market . In this market, the price indicated in the contract is what you will always have.
Time discrimination: what is it
The hourly discrimination, as we have already pointed out, is a type of hourly light tariff that divides the time of electricity consumption into two periods: night and day . The hours that turn out to be the cheapest are the night hours , which are also called off- peak hours . For its part, the hours when electricity is more expensive are called peak hours .
This rate is especially recommended for those families that concentrate most of their electricity consumption at night . It is important to take this data into account, since not everyone agrees with this rate, since it would imply a change in consumption habits to make it profitable.
What are the hours of hourly discrimination
Time discrimination is based on the division of the day into two time bands:
- Valley strip : it is the one with the cheapest energy, it corresponds to the night hours that differ according to the time of year:
- Winter hours: from 22:00 to 12:00
- Summer hours: from 23:00 to 13:00
- Top strip: corresponds to the most expensive strip and to it the daytime hours belong:
- Winter hours: from 12:00 to 22:00
- Summer hours: from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- There is an hourly light tariff also based on the hourly discrimination established by a third period. In other words, the day is divided into three time bands very similar to the previous ones, to which a supervalle bandshould be added , the cheapest of all and which belongs to the daytime hours, from 1:00 to 7:00 .
In the Spanish market you can find hourly discrimination rates in the different energy companies such as Iberdrola, Endesa or Naturgy.
Light rate per hour
In addition to the rate with hourly discrimination, in the Spanish market there is also the hourly electricity rate. This hourly light rate is also known as the PVPC rate . In this case the price of the kilowatt is established and regulated by the Government.
In this case, the price of electricity varies every day and every hour (it belongs to the regulated market). However, if you are interested, you can change to the rate with time discrimination mode . Of course, keep in mind that the price of electricity is influenced by two factors: the access toll and the cost of energy.
As we have seen, there are different hourly light rates that you can choose to save on your electricity bill depending on your consumption habits and needs. Do not miss the opportunity to change the rate if it suits you . In the Spanish electrical scene the possibilities are many and there is surely a suitable option for you. It can be very helpful to consult a rate comparator or go to an expert to help you choose the best option in your case.
