Why Grandparents' Day is a great time to check their electricity bill

It is true that as consumers, our electricity bills are becoming more detailed and transparent every day. On them, we can see exactly what we are paying for each part of the service, where the electricity we use comes from, how we are consuming it, and much more data to help us understand everything related to our energy usage.

However, it is also true that this amount of information, while useful, can end up feeling like a bit of a puzzle that isn't always easy to understand at first glance, especially for some of our older relatives. What is the difference between contracted power and energy consumed? Why does it say kW in some places and kWh in others? What do all these charges, taxes, and graphs actually mean?

If we are dedicating Grandparents' Day to reminding them how important they are to us, a great way to show it is by helping them understand the most important parts of their electricity bill.

The 5 most important points for explaining the electricity bill

To make it easier for older people to locate the essential information on their electricity bill, we can group it into five sections:

Bill details and dates

Here we can check that the account holder's details and address are correct, as well as the billing period and the date the payment will be taken.

Contracted power

This is a fixed charge for having the maximum amount of electricity you might need in the home available at any one time.

Energy consumption

This is the electricity that has actually been consumed during the billing period.

Discounts and other services

These can include discounts for points earned in the Endesa PARA TI programme, for being a Social Bonus beneficiary, or others. We will also find certain associated costs here, such as meter rental or funding for the Social Bonus, if applicable.

Taxes

There are two taxes levied on electricity bills: the Special Electricity Tax (IEE) and VAT (or IGIC in the Canary Islands, which replaces VAT).

Contracted power: we pay for it even if we don't use it

Contracted power, also known as the standing charge, can be summed up by a question you have probably heard at your grandparents' house more than once: Why are they charging us if we hardly use any electricity?

The answer is that all consumers pay this charge as a guarantee that the electricity supply we need in our homes is available at all times. Or, put another way, it is the electricity that reaches the house, whether we use it or not.

This item on the bill does not change from month to month, nor does it depend on the electricity we actually use. However, it is possible and highly advisable to choose the right amount in your contract, for two reasons:

• If your contracted power is higher than the electricity you actually consume, you will be paying too much.
• If it is lower than what you actually consume, you run the risk of the power tripping for safety reasons when you turn on several appliances at the same time.

A contracted power of 3.3 kW can be enough for a household with few members and moderate energy consumption, which is often the case for our grandparents. In households with larger families, the contracted power is usually around 4.6 to 5 kW.

Consumption in kWh: the electricity we do use

Energy consumption is the electricity we have used at home during the billing period. In this case, the amount you pay really will drop if you consume less, and rise when you use a lot of electricity.

The price of that electricity depends on the type of tariff, so it is a good idea to check whether their current contract is the one that best suits your grandparents' consumption habits, or if they could choose a tariff that helps them save more.

A good way to find out how much and how energy is being consumed in the home is to visit the Customer Area on endesa.com. There you will find a breakdown of their daily electricity consumption, which will help you decide which tariff is ideal.

Which tariff to choose for your grandparents' home

In reality, talking about grandparents is like talking about people of any other age: everyone is different and has their own habits. The important thing, in all cases, is that the electricity bill suits the lifestyle in each home. Here are a few pointers to help you choose:

Electricity tariffs with time-of-use pricing

Tariffs with time-of-use pricing, like the Conecta 3 Periodos Tariff, allow you to take advantage of the times when electricity is cheaper: every day from midnight to 8 a.m. and all weekend long. If you can organise your schedule to put the washing machine and dishwasher on during those times, or even charge an electric car, this can be a great option for saving money. 

Electricity tariffs with a stable price

If they spend a lot of time at home, meaning they use climate control appliances, the oven, and other household appliances more during the middle of the day, or simply don't want to have to keep an eye on the clock, the ideal solution is to enjoy peace of mind with a stable-price tariff like Conecta Light or Light 24h Online.

Of potential interest: the Social Bonus for pensioners

The Social Bonus for electricity is a support measure to protect the most vulnerable, offering direct discounts on electricity bills which, until the end of 2026, range from 42.5% to 57.5%.

Pensioners receiving the minimum pension can apply for it, provided they are on the Voluntary Price for the Small Consumer (PVPC) tariff and their contracted power does not exceed 10 kW.

However, other circumstances also influence the right to receive this support, such as having a disability, being a dependent, having a large family, or certain income levels. Our advice is to find out about all the options and the application process on the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge's dedicated website.

Summer and older people: simple tricks to save money without sacrificing comfort

Let's admit it: they taught us many of the tricks we are about to mention. Air conditioning and electric vehicles haven't always been around, so it is a good time to put into practice some of those ideas that will help lower the electricity bill while maintaining their comfort, especially in summer:

• Keep the blinds down during the middle of the day, protecting the house from direct sunlight and keeping the interior cool.
• Keep the windows closed when using the air conditioning to prevent the cold air from escaping.
• Alternate the air conditioning with fans. As fans consume much less electricity than the air conditioning unit, we can use them to circulate the cool air generated throughout the house.
• Keep the air conditioning above 24°C. Every degree below this temperature results in around 8% more electricity consumption.
• Humidify the room, creating a greater sensation of freshness that is noticeable with both air conditioning and fans.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking frequently combats the risks of dehydration during the summer and also helps to reduce the sensation of heat.
• Turn off appliances that are not in use, such as televisions, computers, and stereos, to avoid the phantom energy consumption of leaving them on standby.
• Try to use the most energy-intensive appliances during the cheapest hours for electricity: it is best to use the washing machine, dishwasher, or charge the electric car at night.

Greater ease and autonomy with the digital bill

If there is one thing all our grandparents have in common, it is that they like to keep their expenses under control. And if there is one thing we sometimes forget, it is that they belong to the generation that pioneered the use of the internet.

The digital bill means accessibility and control, in a much simpler and faster way than waiting for the envelope from the energy supplier every month. It contains all the same details as the physical bill, but you can also check detailed information on daily consumption, receive energy-saving tips, and review the evolution of your expenses at a glance.

If you want to use Grandparents' Day to check it out, activating the digital bill takes just a minute and is completely free. You simply need to register with an email address, your ID number (DNI or NIE), and a mobile phone number, and you can start enjoying it.

FAQs to help explain the electricity bill to older relatives

Why do they charge us for electricity even if we haven't used any?

The electricity bill includes fixed charges that are independent of your consumption, such as the contracted power and meter rental. 

How can I view my electricity bills online?

By activating the free digital bill service, you will receive an email every month with your bill and all the information. Furthermore, you can view all of them in the Customer Area on endesa.com.

Can we apply for the electricity Social Bonus?

Yes, provided all members of the household receive the minimum pension and meet the conditions and contract requirements established by the regulations.

What are the first 3 things to check on an electricity bill?

Firstly, the contract holder's details to ensure there are no errors. Secondly, the billing period, which indicates the exact dates you are paying for. Next, the cost of the energy consumed, to check if it is consistent with consumption in previous months.

How can we save on air conditioning costs in the summer?

Make sure the windows are tightly closed when using the air conditioning, avoid setting it below 24°C, combine the AC with the use of fans, maintain good ambient humidity, and lower the blinds when the sun is shining directly during the hottest hours of the day.

How do we know if we are paying too much for electricity?

Check whether the contracted power matches the actual needs of the household, look out for any unusual jumps in your recent billing history, and, for free advice and to discover potential ways to save, review your situation in the Endesa Customer Area.