How to reduce a holiday rental's electricity bill

To reduce a holiday rental's electricity bill, compare offers on the ERSE simulator, adjust the contracted power, choose the right tariff option and track consumption property by property.

Step by step

1. Gather the bills for the last 12 months of each property. Note the contracted power, the tariff option, consumption, prices and whether there is a tie-in period.
2. Compare on the ERSE price simulator, which includes offers from the liberalised market in mainland Portugal. Check whether your contract is domestic or business, so you simulate the right type.
3. Review the contracted power. Reducing it lowers the bill, but in a holiday rental several appliances may run at the same time. Adjust carefully, so there are no power cuts during a stay.
4. Choose the tariff option (single, two-rate or three-rate) based on real consumption. If usage is concentrated outside peak hours, it can pay off.
5. Compare fixed and indexed prices. With fixed, the energy price does not change. With indexed, it follows the wholesale market.
6. Reduce consumption in empty properties, such as the water heater, air conditioning and standby devices between stays.
7. Track it every month: consumption of each property, compared with occupancy.

Precautions before switching

• Check the tie-in period and exit costs of your current contract.
• Be wary of promotional prices that rise after a while.
• Confirm that the offer is for your type of contract and power.

If you have several properties

Treat the contracts together: create a sheet with all the properties, renewal dates, power levels and prices. That way you see where the differences are and avoid renewing expensive contracts by oversight.

Tracking sheet

For each property, record: contracted power, tariff option, supplier, energy and power prices, tie-in period and renewal date.

Warning signs on the bill

• High consumption while the property is empty.
• Contracted power far above what is needed.
• A price that rose after a promotional period.

When to review

Before each renewal and after big changes, such as renovations or new appliances.