Electricity use when living alone: tariff comparison and money-saving tips

How much does a person living alone consume on average?

For someone who lives in a house or flat alone, knowing their real consumption is key to minimising costs on their electricity bill at the end of the month. Here are some key points to take into account so you can monitor your behaviour as a user:

Check your bill

The most direct way to find out your consumption is to check your electricity bills from the last few months. On it, you will find the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) you have consumed in the billing period. If you have a smart meter, you can access your daily or even hourly consumption from your supplier's customer area.

According to the guide from Red Eléctrica de España (REE) and the Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE), the average consumption of a household in Spain is around 290 kWh per month (approximately 3,487 kWh per year). In more specific studies for people living alone, they estimate about 150 kWh per month, which would equate to a monthly cost of approximately €50.

That's why it's important to check your bill and take a close look at this data: the number of kWh consumed in the billing period, the contracted power (kW) which appears in the power term, and the tariff (whether or not you have time-of-day pricing).

Adjust your contracted power and tariff

Once you know your consumption, the next step is to adjust your contracted power (i.e., the contracted kW) and select the most suitable tariff for your daily life. If you live alone, you probably don't need more than 3.45 kW to 4.6 kW, which is sufficient to use basic appliances and not suffer power cuts. Contracting for more power than you need will mean paying more in the fixed term of your bill unnecessarily.

For one person's use, the contracted power can be in lower ranges (e.g., 2.2 kW or 3.3 kW) depending on the number of large appliances, the demand from heating or air conditioning systems, and whether you work from home. As for the type of tariff, you should assess whether your use is heavily concentrated at certain times, for which a time-of-day pricing tariff could be ideal; or if your use is spread throughout the day, for which a fixed-price tariff may be more suitable.

Comparison of electricity tariffs for a single person

Endesa offers several tariffs designed for different consumption profiles, and the most recommended for people living alone are:

• Conecta from Endesa: it's an online exclusive for new customers, and the cheapest in all scenarios analysed, with a fixed price 24 hours a day, and no time bands. It's ideal if you don't want to worry about schedules. No lock-in period and 100% online management.
• One Luz 3 Periodos: this is a tariff with time-of-day pricing in three periods (peak, shoulder, and off-peak), which allows you to save if you concentrate your consumption in the off-peak period, i.e., at night or during the weekends.

These are just some of the Endesa tariff options, but perhaps your consumption habits are better suited to others you can find in our Electricity Catalogue.

Tips to reduce your consumption when living alone

Living alone has certain advantages that help save electricity, but it's important to adopt consumption habits so that your spending doesn't skyrocket or get out of control:

Efficient lighting is essential. Using LED bulbs will translate into savings of up to 80% compared to incandescent ones. Take advantage of natural light and paint the walls in light colours, as dark colours tend to absorb and retain heat.

Adjust the thermostat or air conditioning responsibly, and avoid excessive heating or cooling. Set the air conditioning and heating temperature between 19°C and 21°C in winter, and 24°C to 26°C in summer. Also, good insulation and ventilation will help a lot, because, even if you live alone, if the flat is poorly insulated you will have to invest more in heating or cooling, which will be reflected in the bill.

Unplug devices you aren't using or that are on stand-by. As we said recently in the post about phantom load, this can account for up to 10% of your bill.

Optimise the use of appliances, including the washing machine, which is usually one of the highest consumers. Wash with a full load and in cold water, or use the 'Eco' modes. Also, take advantage of off-peak hours if you have a time-of-day tariff.

Monitoring your consumption, checking your bill month by month and comparing it with previous periods, will allow you to detect unexpected increases and regain control.

When it's a good idea to change tariffs if you live alone

Changing your tariff can be a strategic decision. Having the right one isn't fixed for life, because your habits or personal situation can change. That's why it's a good idea to review it periodically:

• If your consumption habits have changed. For example, you go to the office less and work from home more, which means you are at home for more hours. Also, if you've moved flat, or you have new appliances that demand more energy.
• When you notice that your bill amount has gone up without explanation, and it happens month after month, without you having changed your appliances or contracted power. If you see you are paying for more power than you need, then it's time to change it to look for a fixed monthly saving.
• If your lock-in period with your current company has ended, it's a good time to analyse your user habits and decide if you should stick with the same tariff or change it for one that better suits your daily life, and your wallet. Also, take advantage of any offers or promotions that fit your profile, and with which you can save some money at the end of the month.

How much does a single person pay for electricity per month on average?

According to data from Red Eléctrica de España (REE), a person living alone has a monthly consumption of between 105 and 150 kWh, and an approximate cost of €25 to €35 per month, although this varies according to each user's profile, lifestyle, and consumption habits, the contracted tariff, and applicable taxes.

If this figure (150 kWh) is applied with an average price per kWh of €0.12 to €0.15/kWh, a price that will change depending on the tariff and power terms, it would result in an approximate cost of €19.50 for consumption alone, then adding the power term and taxes, resulting in about €40 to €50 per month. This applies if the person has moderate consumption under normal conditions.

What  contracted power is sufficient for one person?

Choosing the ideal contracted power that is appropriate for your consumption habits is key to not overpaying or suffering power cuts. For someone living alone, it is recommended to choose a contracted power of 3.45 kW to 4.6 kW, but it will depend on the size of the flat and the appliances used. This contracted power will be sufficient to use basic appliances like the fridge, microwave, television, and washing machine simultaneously, without the risk of the supply being cut.

If your appliances and type of heating are low-demand, it is possible to contract for a lower contracted power (from 2.2 kW or 3.3 kW), but if you frequently use devices like electric heating, air conditioning, or induction hobs, then it is prudent not to go below 3.3 kW. We remind you that reducing your contracted power allows you to save on the fixed term of your bill, which is a cost independent of your kWh consumption.

After reviewing the different options for tariffs and ideal contracted power for someone living alone, and analysing the most beneficial combinations according to their consumption habits, contracted power, and tariffs, the best strategy you can apply (if this is your case) is to periodically check your bill, calculate your average demand, check what times you use the most electricity and, based on that information, choose the tariff that best suits your habits.

So, we recommend you dedicate a few minutes to analysing your electricity bill this Singles' Day, and make sure you aren't overpaying for living alone. There will be time to celebrate later, and even more so if you know you're saving money.