Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Does have anybody else has also the impression the Endesa Elektricity Bills have gone crazy. They charge almost 50 % more and sometimes twice a month. without having used a single a Kwh since last year ? Any solutions ?
Thx,

mav

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Hi Maverick, Electricity bills have always been expensive imo and I cant say I have noticed any difference. They come every TWO months approx so I don't understand twice a month bills. Have you logged into your online account to check your bills / nil consumption ? One assumes the property IS unoccupied ?
For you to compare, my last five bills all nil usage. 20 Aug 20 - 42.22 euros. 2 Nov - 38.83 euros. 22 Dec - 41.47 euros. 18 Feb 2021 - 39.54. 27 Apr 21 - 42.23 euros.

I have a 4.6Kw potencia. A higher potencia will cost much more. I dropped mine down from 6.9 Kw that was original.
So a typical bill is....... Potencia ( standing charge) .... 34.68
Discount ????.............................4.16
Other ?????................................1.56
Taxes ..........................................6.74

When you think of the high percentage of coastal second homes in Spain, Endesa must be taking loads of money for very little effort. I did look into other suppliers but the effort involved to switch was a problem, plus the savings were minimal at the time. Hence, other than ensuring you have the minimum potencia you can get by with that's about all you can do. Personally, I think the water bills evry month are worse for nil usage, plus bank charges which with BBVA are rising to 160 euros per annum from 21st June. ( 40 a quarter) up from 60 every half year. Unless you are a resident with pension or salary these are impossible to avoid with a spanish bank. Hence we subsidise the residents !! Bills in Spain do seem to have become a rip off.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

34km North in El Almendro we run with a 4.6 potencia but reduce it to 1.15 when not at the property. At that reduced power rating CHC Energia bill is about 15€ every 2 months for no consumption. Hopefully we will return at end of June when we can go back to 4.6 at just one day notice. Any lower than 1.15 they cut you off!

We pay online with our Halifax Clarity credit card using the CHC website, so no bank charges and almost perfect exchange rate.

Giahsa bill is 17,60€ a month, paid via sgth.es by same method - just over £15 a month at present, for no consumption.

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Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Definitely go online . You can see what is causing your bills to be so high
Obviously the standing daily charge based on your potentia should not change month to month except by number of days counting towards the bill period .
Mine is approx 20 Euro a month with no usage at 4.6 potencia .
​​​​​if yours is higher than 4.6 you can also change this easily online and submit your own readings .
The website is available in English . Just look at top right corner of page to change language.
The company name is now Energia XXI

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

To : Shirley / anthony Hide. You mentioned Endesa is now EnergiaXXI ? When were you informed of this? I ask because I have not accessed my endesa online account since about July 2020. The log in details are stored in my computer but when I tried earlier today for this thread my log in details did not match and I was refused access. I also tried the Energia website access with my old endesa log in details and that failed as well. I checked my log in details are correct, hence have you had to register for a new online access with Energia ? thanks... Keith

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

I wasn't informed either .
I was looking at my Sabadell account to see what had been debited lately .
and downloading the DD for the electric I saw that the name mentioned in the debut slip was
changed to Energiaxxx where as before it always said Endesa
When I tried going online with the endesa website it didn't recognise my details.
So I went to EnergiaXXX site and it recognised my email but not P/W so I asked site to send me a link to change my P/W.
That done, I now go online thru EnergiaXXX log in.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Hi Keith,
Looking at your electricity costs, we are paying double that, which I always thought was excessive, in particular when the place is empty. I suspect that we are on a higher potencia, I have read previously people talking about the potencia, now that I see what you pay, it confirms what I thought, that we are on a higher band. Is this easy enough to change, I presume from having an online account? I will need to wait until we are back out, hopefully next month to get my account details so that I can register online with them and hopefully manage to reduce the potencia.
Mary.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Hi Shirley/Anthony,
Is this a recent change to the company name? Our last bill, looking at the bank account was April, when it was still showing as Endesa.
Mary

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Hola,
Although your usage may be low, you expect there to be loads of electricity when you want it, The electricity companies have to do maintenance all year so the standing charges reflect that.
Given the amount of holiday homes, the usage can easily double at popular times of the year and this causes a problem. To overcome this, and to ensure that full time residents are not subsidising those with holiday homes, the standing charges were raised and the usage price lowered some years ago.
We regularly have problems with transformers catching fire because of over usage; again, holiday homes are a part of the cause, illegal hook-ups being another part.

Davexf

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Hi Mary, Not sure if you can change the potencia online as I am having problems logging in atm, probably due to change to EnergiaXXI format. Our very helpful solicitor originally had the supply connected and prior to having an online account I think I got her to phone Endesa and downgrade it. I was able to subsequently change the tariff choice online though to the LUZ discounted one with reduced charges for electricity at off peak times. Hence I have the electric water heater connected to a plug in timer so that it heats up in off peak times. PS. Abogado is Anna Villamil at AA solicitors in the ugly tower block at Ayamonte. They still do our tax representation each year.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Hi Keith,
We also had our abogada set up all the utilities and direct debits for us, it was a good idea at the time. Now I am thinking we need to be more aware of what and who we are paying from now on, as well as trying to close our spanish bank account. I had a look on the Endesa website and can only see something saying <10kw or >10kw, not sure if I am looking at the correct information or not, hopefully get it sorted once I can get the account information from the bills.
Mary

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Hi looking back on my bank account .
I see that the direct debit name was called Electricity Endesa Energia XXI until September 2019 when it changed to Electricity Energia XXI
I must admit I probably until a week or so ago tried to go online to the website in a long time because of in that period since only went out for 2 weeks in early 2020. And my bills have Ben consistent with not having any usage.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

That seems a bit odd that our bills are saying different things. I would have expected them to be consistent but I guess it is Spain, lol.
Mary

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Found something online .
Endesa changed their brand name to Energia xxi
But it says that if you are in the open market the the name still says Endesa
but if in the regulated market your invoice will say Energia XXI
Not sure what the difference is between the two. But guess the open market is like in the UK where you can get dozens of different providers for your power but the lines the power come down are owned by someone else . Whereas the regulated market the same owner owns the whole process.
I may be wrong ( I usually am) but don't shoot me .
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Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

You can change your potentia online very easily.
The trick is getting online in the first place.!!
You can

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Yes, I saw that earlier today. Like you, I am a bit mystified as to what it means. I wondered if it was to do with wholesale and retail fuel but like yourself, no real idea. As we are both residential, I would have thought it would be the same, who knows.
Mary.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

I may need to seek help from you at the time, if I can get registered. Like I said to Keith, in an earlier post, I could only see something saying <10kw or >10kw, but maybe there is more specific information on potencia once I have an online account.
Fingers crossed to getting to Costa Esuri next month. The flights and car hire are booked, so hopefully we can get there and get some sun.
Mary. :D

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

​​​​​​Sa me here .
All I need to do now is book a PCR test within 72 hours of departure to Faro plus a passenger locator form to satisfy Portuguese entry requirements
​​​​​​Ta ke another test while over there before I come back to U.K. Plus another one 2 days after I get back to suit UK requirements !!!
Pontins is beginning to look very attractive all of a sudden as an alternative.

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Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Yes, I reckon the tests are going to add over £400 to the cost for the two of us. I can imagine that will be putting people off foreign holidays for now, especially if going just for a week or two. I'm hoping prices for the test may come down before we leave.
From my research a few days ago, I believe the UK government are happy with a lateral flow test for the inital test and then the PCR within two days of return, which can be done at Faro airport, just before your flight, the result takes 15 minutes. I couldn't see a price for it on the Faro airport website.
We were over in November and completed the PLF and no one even asked to see it when we got to Faro airport.
Mary

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

I believe that after 17th May if you are travelling back from a "Green" country you can do the PCR test within 2 days of arriving in the UK. Presumably you might need some evidence that you have booked a test.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Ah, so, when we put on the passenger locator form, CE, Spain I suspect that might complicate matters ? I was hoping to casually overlook the entering SP bit. I think we have now given up any hope of getting to CE this side of early autumn.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Depends how long you spend over there, assuming Spain goes green while you're there, which is likely, then the locator form should not be a problem. Also, the rules for green countries now mean you can get a PCR within 2 days of arriving back, so as long as you have a booking you can show border control it should be fine. Of course you might want to compare the price of the PCR test here vs there 🤔

Sorry, I seem to have posted that before😟😫

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

This is the information on the Ryanair website.
https://www.ryanair.com/ie/en/useful-info/map-page
If you are travelling from the UK, you can also get information on the Scottish and English Government websites.
Mary

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

This is all very interesting. I'm with Endesa Energia XXI, I have never heard of Pontencia except I think I heard a friend talking of increasing his energy capability - maybe this is what it means? The "potential" energy capability? We have a 3 bed house Rincon Golf Isla Canela and our bill says 7.700KW. We have been there for 3 weeks in the last year. So I could look to reduce this some months?

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Our (typical) CHC Energia bill for April +.May came to a grand total of 8,93€ for the two month period at a potencia of. 1.1 kW.

We increased our potencia to 3.45 kw for the three weeks we have been here in El Almendro (pueblo with the very best outdoor public pool in Huelva province). We are able to run two a/c units and boil a kettle at the same time without tripping. Running the oven or iron requires one of the air con units to be turned off. We find 2.3 kw is adequate for our regular power usage outside of air con season.

Tomorrow we set off back to Bristol so will revert our potencia back to 1.1 kw first thing in the morning. We will repeat the whole process on our next visit, hopefully in October.


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Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Thank you. How do you action the reduction? I couldn't see anywhere on the website today.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

I email or call in to our local CHC Energia office in Villanueva de Los Castillejos. I understand some suppliers allow potencia adjustments to be selected on the account pages of their websites.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

t depends on what you have running at one time on what requirement you need. 1000 watts is 1kw. Get out your calculator and go around and add every watt up to see what the max could be before it trips out.

Normally there is also a charge to change. Maybe you get one free one, depending if a service call is required to change a main fuse in their portion of the electrical grid.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

I was with Endesa now called Energia XXI
If you log in and go to contract section ,you can change your potencia online .
​​​​​​Cl ick on details of contract.
then click on Power and Tension change button
that will take You to part where You can adjust to your needs.
You probably know a!ready but at top of page is a button that changes the website to ENglish.
makes it easier .

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Thanks everyone. Sometimes our oven trips the system which is why I think I had a conversation with a friend who told me he'd increased his power capability. I have another look at the website. One of my neighbours told me a year or two ago they'd changed from Endesa & saved a fair bit.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

7,7kw is a lot. What are you running plus a standard 2000w oven ( that is normal max potential) to make it trip?

It could be a fault in the oven unless you can determine that you tried to use 7,8KW.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

I dont know...three bed two bathroom, large water heater, oven hob microwave fridge freezer, tv, Internet, phone & laptop chargers, four residents.
I always thought it was faulty wiring tripping from the oven until a friend mentioned he'd needed to increase his capability & suggested that may be our probldm. I've never heard of that in England so was new to me. My husband says he thinks maybe the oven isn't wired correctly! Anyway we pay £)30€ - 55€ a month for an empty house with a fridge freezer running!

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

It is the oven... In your list you did not include any heating or cooling but even then, you would not have everything running at the same time

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

You might even be able to reduce the potential and save money by finding the fault.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Oh yes sorry we have four air conditioning units. No heaters.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

We power everything off when returning to the UK. We have a smart meter. The electricity office lady just clicks a button on her computer screen and the potencia adjustment is instantly applied. No fees thus far, and no engineer visit required. Can't help feeling there might be a fee introduced soon though!

Clearly the leccy company isn't owned by a bank!

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

I've noticed that with Endesa the bills don't come at regular intervals but at seemingly random or illogical times. Sometimes it's 5 weeks, sometimes 6, and earlier this year it was after literally just 3 weeks. Is this randomness the norm here?

How does this work? I've noticed the regular charge but what happens if you have a spike in usage during the day where you temporarily go beyond the established "potencia?"

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

The billing periods can be a bit random especially when some change or other, like the reductions in IVA, are announced by the Government and the companies have to make changes to their systems.

If you go over your contracted potencia at any time during the day by having too many appliances in use at once then the powet will go off, simple as. You have to switch something off and reset the circuit breakers.

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Many thanks, was wondering what was going on with these constantly different billing periods.

And potencia is all clear now to me as well - at least I know what's been causing my power to kick out. I figured it was an old electrical setup that couldn't take the load but I guess it's a question of raising the "potencia."

Btw, what is up with the three different meter time-slots? Do you need to be on a special tariff to pay a different price for each (because on my bill I get 3 separate readings but then they all get lumped together and I pay for overall kWh at the same price)?

Re: Utility bills , especially Endesa
 

Your supplier is Endesa XXI if you're on a regulated tariff or Endesa Energia if you're on a open market tariff. Also there are other suppliers you can switch to which can be cheaper.

If you're in an Endesa area as I guess you would be if you asked for an electricity supply and got given Endesa then your distributor is e-distribución. There's no changing that.

One way of lowering your bills is lowering the Potencia (amount of energy you can use), if you live in Spain then you can probably use 4.4kW, if you just have a holiday home then maybe even 3.3kW.

Another way is changing the tariff, at the moment regulated is probably cheaper than open market although you need to watch the clock as different times of day have different prices.

You can use the QR code on your supplier's bill or set up an account on your distributor's website to compare many regulated and open market tariffs (not all of them) from different suppliers. Also see here.

My Endesa bill is a bit late, I should have got it about a month ago, so I guess they're making some change to billing (check the small print on the next bill to see if there are changes...).

You can't really take your eyes off bills, you may have a tariff change with a month or two's notice and if you don't change to another tariff then you've accepted it. Or you may be moved to a regulated tariff (from Endesa XXI if you're on Endesa) if you're not profitable on an open market tariff.