In many holiday homes, the biggest expense is not the occasional energy consumption in summer or on weekends, but rather a contracted plan that doesn’t take actual usage habits into account. This is where choosing the right electricity tariff for your second home can make the difference between overpaying and paying only what is fair.

Why a second home needs a different tariff strategy than your primary residence

In a primary residence, energy consumption is constant and usually makes up the bulk of the electricity bill. However, in a second home—since it remains empty for long periods of time—the actual electricity you consume accounts for roughly half of what you pay on your bill. The rest comes down to contracted power and taxes.

Choosing a standard tariff can make fixed power costs disproportionately high compared to actual usage. In addition, energy consumption in these homes is usually concentrated at very specific times, which opens the door to savings strategies that wouldn’t be viable in everyday households.

The first step before choosing a tariff: adjusting your contracted power to real usage

Before you start comparing prices, it is essential to understand the difference between kW (contracted power) and kWh (energy consumed). Contracted power is the amount of electricity your appliances need to run simultaneously. If you contract too much power for a house you only use occasionally, you will pay an unnecessary fixed surcharge every month.

To optimise this, smart meters are a key tool. They provide reliable measurements and real data to help you identify your peak demand. Knowing exactly how to calculate the real consumption of each appliance in your home will help you estimate the minimum kW needed so that the circuit breaker doesn’t trip when, for example, you run the air conditioning and oven at the same time.

Once you have determined the right contracted power, the next step is choosing the right tariff.

The table that will help you decide: which tariff to choose based on your visiting pattern

There are different options designed to optimise your energy costs depending on how you use your second home:

If you mainly visit on weekends: why a time-of-use tariff may be your best option

For those who escape the city every Friday, tariffs with specific time-of-use pricing are ideal. Options such as the Conecta 3 Periodos Tariff are designed to maximise savings during weekends, public holidays, and night-time hours.

By using electricity almost exclusively during the most affordable days, the impact on your final bill can be reduced dramatically.

If you only visit in summer: the option that prevents overpaying the rest of the year

If your second home is used exclusively during the summer season, the Tu Otra Casa 50 Light tariff is the best option for you. You will enjoy a 50% discount on your 50 highest-consumption hours, with no commitment period and stable pricing all year round.

In addition to choosing the right tariff, it is essential to understand your air conditioning's actual energy consumption in summer and how to reduce it. For example, the IDAE recommends setting the temperature to 27°C, as each additional degree you lower the thermostat increases consumption by around 8%.

If your usage pattern is irregular: when an adaptive tariff makes more sense

The actual electricity consumption of an air fryer, microwave, and other small appliances commonly found in second homes can add up to quite a few kWh each month. When you do not know exactly which days you will be visiting, the Única Tariff becomes particularly attractive because it adapts to your lifestyle. It offers a personalised fixed monthly fee throughout the duration of the contract. This gives you complete control over your expenses.

The most common mistake: reducing contracted power too much and ending up without electricity

Many families try to save money by lowering their contracted power to the legal minimum. However, if your contracted power is insufficient for your appliances, the main breaker will cut your power supply.

It is crucial to assess your second home to determine its average annual electricity consumption. For example, if you have moved older appliances there, you may actually need a higher buffer than you think.

Before making any changes, check the energy rating of your appliances to understand their real demand. Sometimes, it pays to replace an old appliance with a more efficient one. Here is a table with estimated consumption figures:

*Cost estimate calculated based on the current price of the Luz Fija 24h Online Tariff, with a 20% discount applied during the first year (€0.113500/kWh). Consumption data based on the official report from the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITERD) on residential energy consumption in Spain for 2025.

FAQ

Can I benefit from the Social Bonus at my second home?

In general, the Social Bonus is intended for the main residence where the account holder lives permanently. For a second home, the best way to save money is to choose a tariff that matches your usage profile.

Is it worth cancelling my electricity supply during winter?

Cancelling your electricity supply removes the fixed contracted power charge, but it also means paying reconnection fees when you switch it back on. If you keep the fridge running to preserve basic food items, cancelling your supply is not really an option. You should also monitor standby consumption, which can amount to around €5 per month even in an empty property.

What is the minimum power I can contract for a second home?

It depends on your appliances. A fridge alone only requires between 0.2 and 0.4 kW of instantaneous power. If you do not use the oven (1.2–3 kW) or the air conditioning at the same time, you may be able to reduce your contracted power considerably.

Is a time-of-use tariff worth it if I only visit on weekends?

Yes, it is one of the best options. By choosing a tariff with lower prices on Saturdays and Sundays, you ensure that the electricity you actually consume becomes much cheaper.

What happens to the electricity bill during the months when I am not there?

Even when you are away, you will still pay the fixed contracted power term. To keep this cost under control, you can check your detailed consumption in the Customer Area to make sure there are no energy leaks or unnecessary phantom consumption.