Your electricity bill in one image: what you are really paying for

Before going into detail, bear one idea in mind: not everything on your bill depends on what you consume.

One part corresponds to the electricity you use at home, but another exists simply for having the supply available or because it forms part of the electricity system's regulated costs.

Now, let's decipher what each of these charges means and their impact on your bill.

🔌 Contracted power: what you pay for having electricity available

There is one question that comes up time and time again:

'If I have hardly used any electricity this month, why am I still paying?'

The answer usually lies in the contracted power, which is the maximum amount of electricity your home can use at the same time.

Imagine your home's wiring is like a motorway. The contracted power would be the number of available lanes: the more there are, the more appliances can run at the same time without overloading the system.

That is why this charge appears on your bill every month, even if you have barely used any electricity. You are not paying for the energy you use, but for having that capacity available at all times. This is also known as the standing charge of your electricity bill.

If you think you have contracted more power than you actually need, reviewing it can help you optimise your bill. From the Endesa Customer Area, you can check your contracted power and see if it still suits your consumption habits.

⚡ Energy consumed: the kWh you use every month

If the contracted power is the capacity of your installation, consumption is the energy you actually use in your day-to-day life.

Every time you turn on the air conditioning, cook a meal in the oven, put a wash on, or charge your mobile, you are using electricity. This energy is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and is what is reflected on your bill.

Unlike contracted power, this part of the bill depends directly on your habits. The more kWh you consume, the higher the amount for the unit rate of your electricity bill will be.

The good news is that this is also the section where you have the most room to manoeuvre. Small gestures, such as using ECO programmes, improving the efficiency of certain appliances, or making more efficient use of your climate control, can help you reduce consumption without sacrificing comfort.

🛣️ Access tolls and charges: the regulated costs on your bill

When you check your bill, you will also find access tolls and charges. Although their name may sound technical, these are regulated costs that contribute to the operation and maintenance of the electricity system.

Unlike consumption or contracted power, their amount does not depend on your habits or the energy supplier you are contracted with.

 📟 Meter rental: why it appears on your bill

Have you ever noticed a small amount appearing under the heading of 'meter rental'?

This amount corresponds to the use of the equipment that records your electricity consumption when the meter belongs to the distributor and you do not own it.

Although it usually represents a very small part of the total bill, it serves an essential function: accurately measuring the electricity you consume to ensure your billing is correct.

🧾 Taxes: the fiscal part of your electricity bill

As with other utilities, your electricity bill also includes various taxes established by current regulations.

The main taxes on your electricity bill are:

• Electricity tax.
• The VAT applicable at any given time.

These amounts can vary if regulations change, so it is always a good idea to check the details on your bill.

So far, you have learned the main pieces that make up any electricity bill. Now comes one of the most frequently asked questions: why does the bill usually go up when summer arrives? The answer lies largely in one of the most used appliances during the hot months: the air conditioning.

❄️ Air conditioning: why it can send your bill soaring in summer

If there is one appliance that makes a difference to your electricity bill in summer, it is the air conditioning. When temperatures rise, so do the hours of use, and with them, your electricity consumption.

But... how much does air conditioning really consume?

The answer depends on several factors: the power of the unit, the hours it is left on, the selected temperature, your home's insulation, and the appliance's energy efficiency.

For example, an efficient unit running at a comfortable temperature of around 26°C will consume significantly less than an older one used for many hours at very low temperatures.

The good news is that you do not need to sacrifice comfort to control your consumption. Adjusting the temperature correctly, making the most of natural ventilation, and keeping your home well-insulated are small gestures that can help you reduce your energy spending.

If you are thinking of replacing your unit, at Endesa you will find tips on choosing an efficient air conditioner and recommendations for saving energy at home without feeling the heat.

🔥 Oven, tumble dryer, and heating: other appliances that cost more to run than you'd expect

Although air conditioning usually takes the limelight during the summer, it is not the only appliance that can drive up your electricity consumption.

There are other appliances that, due to the amount of energy they need to run, have a significant impact on your bill:

• 🔥 Electric heating, especially during the winter months.
• 🎛️ Ovens, because of the high temperatures they reach.
• 🧺 Tumble dryers, as they are one of the appliances that consume the most electricity per cycle.
• 💧 Electric water heaters, if they are left heating water for many hours.
• 🍳 Electric hobs, depending on your cooking time.

The key is not to stop using them, but to use them efficiently. Cooking several dishes to make the most of the oven's heat, using the tumble dryer only when necessary, and correctly programming your electric water heater are small changes that, over time, can make all the difference.

🧺 Washing machines, dishwashers, and small habits: how to reduce consumption without making things complicated

When we think about saving electricity, we tend to imagine making major changes. However, the reality is that saving often starts with small gestures that barely affect our daily routine.

These habits can help you reduce your daily electricity consumption:

• ♻️ Use ECO programmes whenever you can.
• 🧺 Only run the washing machine and dishwasher with a full load.
• 💡 Replace traditional bulbs with LED lighting.
• 🔌 Avoid leaving appliances on standby.
• ❄️ Set the air conditioning to a comfortable temperature of around 26°C.
• 🏠 Improve the insulation on your doors and windows to better maintain the indoor temperature.

The sum of these small habits can translate into significant savings over the course of the year.

📱 How to check your consumption from the Customer Area or the app

Understanding your bill is great. Knowing how you consume is even better.

Checking your consumption regularly helps you understand why a bill goes up or down from one month to the next, and allows you to detect small changes that can make a real difference over time.

From the Endesa Customer Area or app, you can easily check:

• 📊 Your daily and monthly consumption.
• 📈 Your billing trends.
• 📅 Comparisons between different periods.
• 📄 The consumption history of your home.

Taking a few minutes a month to review this data can help you identify consumption peaks, check if your energy-saving measures are working, or even assess whether your contracted power and electricity tariff are still the most suitable for your consumption habits.

💡 What part of your bill you can control and what you cannot

After going through all the items on your bill, there is one key idea worth remembering: not everything depends on you.

There are costs you can do something about and others that are determined by regulations. Knowing how to tell them apart will allow you to focus your efforts where they can really make a difference.

What you can control

• Electricity consumption in kWh.
• Appliance efficiency.
• Heating and climate control temperatures.
• Contracted power, if it is higher than you need.

What is out of your control

• Regulated access tolls and charges.
• Applicable taxes.
• Other fixed charges set by current regulations.

The takeaway is simple: saving does not always mean consuming less, but rather consuming better. Small changes to your habits, a power capacity tailored to your needs, or a tariff adapted to the way you consume can help you optimise the amount on your bills.

If you want to take it one step further, check if your current electricity tariff is still the one that best suits your day-to-day life. At Endesa, you will find different options, including fixed-price electricity tariffs, so you can choose the one that best suits your consumption habits.

FAQs about the electricity bill

Why am I paying for electricity, even though I have barely used any?

Because one part of the bill does not depend on consumption. Charges such as contracted power, access tolls and charges, or certain regulated costs are paid to have the electricity supply available, even if you have used very little energy that month.

What is the difference between contracted power and consumption?

Contracted power is the maximum capacity of electricity you can use at the same time in your home, and it makes up the standing charge of your electricity bill. Electricity consumption, on the other hand, is the energy you actually use, which is reflected in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and forms part of the unit rate of your electricity bill.

Why does the electricity bill usually go up in the summer?

The increased use of air conditioning during the hottest months is usually the main reason. The more hours the unit is running and the lower the selected temperature, the higher the electricity consumption and, consequently, the amount of your electricity bill in summer.

What can I do to save on my electricity bill?

Start by checking which part of the bill you can control: adjust your contracted power if it is higher than you need, use your appliances efficiently, and regularly check your electricity consumption via the Endesa Customer Area or app. Furthermore, choosing an electricity tariff tailored to your consumption habits can help you save on your electricity bill.