Electricity in Spain: How To Save Money On Your Bill

With electricity prices in Spain still volatile and above pre-pandemic levels in 2025, many households continue to feel the pinch. Although wholesale costs have stabilised compared to the 2022 spike, the average consumer still pays significantly more than they did five years ago — making energy efficiency and usage timing more important than ever.

In March 2022, the wholesale electricity price hit a record high of €544 per MWh, briefly soaring to €700 during peak hours. Since then, government interventions and market reforms have helped, but average monthly bills remain steep — especially during summer and winter extremes.

So how can you lower your energy costs in Spain today? In this updated guide, we’ll walk through how billing periods work, how much electricity the average household uses, which appliances consume the most, and a wide range of practical tips to save money on your electricity bill — including 2025-relevant options like solar supplements and smart meters.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• How electricity use is measured in Spain
• How the three-period billing system works
• Where most energy is consumed in the home
• 15+ practical ways to reduce your energy bill in 2025

How much electricity does the average household in Spain use?

According to Spain’s IDAE (Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía), the average household consumes around 9,300 to 10,500 kWh per year. This can vary widely depending on climate, family size, and air-con usage.

The average Spanish home now pays around €1,450 per year for electricity — that’s roughly €121–€130 per month, depending on your tariff, region, and usage patterns.

What are the current electricity billing periods?

Spain uses a time-of-use billing system with three distinct pricing bands. These determine your rate per kilowatt-hour depending on when you consume electricity.

• Off-Peak (Valle): Midnight to 8am Monday to Friday, plus 24 hours a day on weekends and public holidays. This is the cheapest period.
• Peak (Punta): 10am–2pm and 6pm–10pm Monday to Friday. These hours have the highest rates.
• Mid-Peak (Llano): 8am–10am, 2pm–6pm, and 10pm–Midnight, Monday to Friday.

Adjusting when you use appliances — especially those with high consumption like washing machines, ovens, and A/C — can make a noticeable difference.

Image Credit: CNMC

Are you on the right electricity tariff?

In Spain, consumers can choose between:

• Regulated (PVPC) – variable prices updated hourly based on market
• Free Market (Mercado Libre) – fixed-price contracts from private energy companies

If you have a predictable usage pattern or prefer stability, a fixed-rate contract may be better. For those who can shift consumption to off-peak hours, the regulated PVPC option could offer savings — but it’s more volatile.

If unsure, ask your provider to review your current consumption and recommend the most appropriate tariff. You can also compare offers on the CNMC’s official tariff comparison portal.

Where does most electricity get used in the home?

According to Endesa and IDAE data:

• Air conditioning & heating: 45–50%
• Water heating: 15–20%
• Kitchen appliances: 15–25%
• Lighting & standby: 5–10%

Cutting back on A/C, heating, and inefficient appliances is where you’ll see the biggest gains.

15 Ways to Save Electricity in Spain (2025 Edition)

1. Reduce your contracted power (potencia)

This is the fixed portion of your electricity bill and is often overestimated. Many households pay for 5.75 kW when they could easily function on 3.45 kW. Reducing your potencia by just one step can save €40–€60 per year. Contact your provider to request a reduction.

2. Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances

A++ or A+++ fridges, washing machines, and dishwashers consume up to 60% less electricity than older models. Over 5 years, the savings outweigh the higher purchase cost.

3. Use LED lighting throughout your home

Switching from incandescent or halogen bulbs to LEDs can cut lighting energy use by 80–90%. LEDs also last much longer.

4. Take advantage of eco modes

Most modern dishwashers and washing machines have eco cycles that use less water and lower temperatures. While they may run longer, they consume up to 50% less energy.

5. Avoid using appliances during peak hours

Run washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers between 12am–8am or during the weekend. Use timers if necessary. Smart plugs can also automate off-peak usage.

6. Batch cook meals

Make multiple dishes in one oven session to maximise output per kilowatt. Freeze portions for future use.

7. Use induction cooktops and microwaves when possible

Microwaves use far less energy than conventional ovens for reheating. Induction cooktops heat faster and more efficiently than ceramic or gas.

8. Eliminate standby usage

Use multi-plug strips with switches to completely turn off TVs, routers, consoles, and monitors overnight. Devices in standby can still draw 1–10W each.

9. Use ceiling fans instead of A/C where possible

Fans use only 10–15% of the electricity that air-conditioning units do. Use them in spring and autumn to delay turning on the A/C.

10. Close doors and windows when using A/C or heating

Keep conditioned air in by isolating rooms. Use blinds or reflective curtains to block summer heat during the day.

11. Insulate your home better

Seal gaps around windows and doors. Install thermal curtains or window film to reduce heat loss/gain. Even basic improvements can reduce heating/cooling needs by 10–20%.

12. Consider solar PV or solar thermal supplements

Even a small on-grid solar installation can offset daytime consumption. You can now get mini 1.5KW plug-in balcony units legally in Spain. Solar thermal panels for hot water also reduce annual electricity use.

13. Install a smart thermostat

Set precise schedules and prevent unnecessary heating or cooling when nobody’s home. Some models offer AI-powered recommendations.

14. Monitor your usage

Use apps like LuzIA or the official app from your supplier to track daily consumption and spot spikes. Awareness leads to savings.

15. Compare rates annually

Don’t assume your current contract is the cheapest. Review your usage every 12 months and compare deals from other providers using the CNMC comparator.

Sources

Endesa Blog
Idealista Guide
CNMC