Electricity consumption in a holiday home continues because certain equipment keeps running, even when the property is empty. This detail explains why the electricity bill for a second home can keep growing between stays. Understanding what consumes electricity in an empty house allows you to spot the expenses that really need attention and avoid paying more than necessary.

Why a holiday home consumes energy even when empty

A very common mistake is thinking that consumption only occurs when we are living in the house. The reality is that your second home, like any other house, never completely sleeps. If you are wondering where this consumption comes from, the answer lies in the appliances and systems that must remain operational to prevent the property from deteriorating or to guarantee its security.

Because of this, an empty house still requires power: it keeps appliances running and powers devices left on standby, generating a cost that only becomes visible when you receive your electricity bill. Let us explain the concept of power in more detail.

The fixed charge: what you pay even if you don't switch anything on

To understand why you keep paying for electricity, even if the property remains empty for months, it is useful to distinguish between these two concepts that appear on your electricity bill: contracted power (kW) and energy consumed (kWh).

• The contracted power charge (kW) is a fixed cost. You pay it to have a specific electrical capacity available, regardless of whether you consume a lot, a little, or no electricity at all. It is similar to reserving a seat: even if you don't use it every day, it is still there for you.
• The energy charge (kWh) is the variable cost. It reflects the electricity actually used by your connected appliances. If the property were completely disconnected from the grid, this amount would be zero. However, the fridge, router, alarm, or any device on standby mean there is always some consumption.

Reducing your power too much to lower the fixed cost isn't usually the best solution either. If, upon arriving, you switch on the air conditioning, the immersion heater, the washing machine, and other appliances almost simultaneously, you can cause a spike and exceed your contracted limit, tripping the power control switch. Finding a balance between cost and your actual needs is usually the most practical option for saving electricity in your second home without sacrificing comfort. Let's start by looking at the fridge.

Fridge and freezer: the most common 24/7 consumption

Out of all household appliances, the fridge is usually the one that consumes the most electricity throughout the year. The reason is simple: it runs 24 hours a day to maintain an optimal temperature and preserve food.

As a result, your holiday home fridge accounts for a significant portion of your consumption if the property is left empty for long periods. If it is also an older model or has low energy efficiency, the annual cost can be considerable.

The decision to leave the fridge on depends mainly on how long you will be away from the property. If you are only going away for a few days, it usually makes sense to leave it running. On the other hand, if the house will be closed for several weeks or months, it is usually more efficient to empty the fridge, clean it, unplug it, and leave the door slightly ajar to prevent moisture and bad odours from building up.

Immersion heater: heating water for an empty house

Many summer homes have an immersion heater, which can be one of the most energy-intensive appliances. Its operation involves keeping the water inside the tank hot; therefore, it can become an unnecessary expense during periods when the house is closed.

Our recommendation is to turn off the immersion heater whenever you will be away for several days. If you need hot water upon arrival, simply plug it in a few hours beforehand. To do this, you can use smart plugs or programmable systems that allow you to activate it remotely.

As you can see, the recommendation for some appliances is to keep them switched off during long absences, but does this apply to all devices?

Router, alarm, cameras, and smart home systems: security vs consumption

It is increasingly common for second homes to stay connected to the internet. A router's consumption is usually low, but leaving it on 24 hours a day costs around €11.91 a year, according to the OCU (Organisation of Consumers and Users). Whether you turn it off or leave it on will depend on your home's needs and the systems it connects to.

These typically include alarms, CCTV cameras, and smart home devices. The alarm requires continuous power to protect the property and send alerts in the event of an incident. The same applies to cameras or motion sensors. Although the consumption of these devices is usually moderate, it is worth assessing which ones are truly necessary.

If the property has smart devices, they can also become an ally in saving electricity. Programming the air conditioning to turn on before you arrive, checking if any lights have been left on, or managing certain equipment remotely allows you to avoid unnecessary consumption without giving up convenience.

Pool, irrigation, and outdoor lighting: the invisible summer consumption

If your holiday home has a garden or pool, this section will interest you, as a significant part of the electricity consumption is concentrated outdoors.

Pool electricity consumption is one of the best examples. The pool filter needs to complete filtration cycles to keep the water in good condition, meaning it continues to use electricity even when no one is swimming.

Something similar happens with automatic irrigation. The timers remain active and, at the set times, start the electric pumps or solenoid valves needed to water the garden.

It is also worth checking your outdoor lighting. Systems with timers or motion sensors provide security and convenience, but improper programming can leave them on longer than necessary.

If you want to save on outdoor consumption in your second home, adjust the pool filtration times, check the irrigation, and use outdoor LED lighting.

Microwave, TV, chargers, and small appliances: the standby that adds up

Moving from the outside back indoors. Did you know that not all appliances stop consuming electricity when you press the off button? Many continue to draw a small amount of energy while plugged into the mains. This is known as vampire power, an expense that, although small for each device, can add up to 15% to your holiday home's bill.

The most common culprits include televisions, which keep their standby light on; microwaves and ovens, which power their digital clocks; and chargers left plugged in, even when not charging any device.

The easiest way to avoid this is to unplug appliances that won't be used before leaving the house. A switched extension lead makes this easier, allowing you to cut the power to several devices with a single flick of a switch.

The arrival spike: when you switch everything on at once

The moment of greatest strain on your electrical installation occurs right at the start of your holidays, just as you walk through the door of your second home. The most common routine is to turn on the lights, switch on the air conditioning, switch on the immersion heater, and power up the fridge. This sudden surge in demand puts your contracted power to the test.

If the combined load of the connected appliances exceeds your available limit, the power may trip. To avoid this, turn on your equipment gradually.

Knowing which appliances to turn off, program, or keep running will allow you to better control your summer house electricity bill.

What to switch off, what to program, and what to leave on

Check this table to optimise your second home's electricity bill. Remember to always tailor it to your needs.

How to check from your phone if the house is still consuming

Through the Customer Area or the Endesa Clientes app, you can monitor your actual hourly consumption. This tool is essential for:

• Detecting unexpected spikes in usage that could indicate a fault or an appliance left on.
• Checking if consumption is too high when the house is empty, which would reveal too many appliances on standby.
• Comparing bills and adjusting your contracted power if you see that it never gets close to the limit.

FAQs about holiday home bills

Which electricity tariff is best for a holiday home?

There are specific tariffs for second homes, such as Tu Otra Casa 50 Luz, which offers a 50% discount during the 50 hours of highest consumption each month, ideal for when usage is concentrated at weekends or in summer.

How can I reduce the bill for a house I only use in summer?

The key is to contract a tariff suited to your needs and check whether you can lower your contracted power to pay less on the fixed charge during the months the house is empty.

Can I turn off the fuse box in a holiday home?

Yes, it is the best way to eliminate vampire power entirely. However, this could disable the alarm or other systems that rely on electricity.

Why is my bill so high if the house has been empty?

It is probably due to the fixed contracted power charge and the consumption of the fridge or appliances on standby, which have continued to rack up kWh without you noticing.