Which Electricity Tariff to Choose If You Only Use AC at Night
In summer, many people avoid switching on the air conditioning during the day and save it for the night, when the heat makes it impossible to sleep. If this is your case, choosing your electricity tariff well can make a real difference to your monthly bill.
What is a time-of-use tariff?
It’s a type of tariff that varies the price of the kWh depending on the time band. It’s usually split into:
- Off-peak: cheaper (generally at night and in the early hours)
- Peak: more expensive (during the day, especially in the afternoon)
Some tariffs also include an intermediate band, known as mid-peak.
Why does it matter if you only use AC at night?
Because in that case you can concentrate much of your consumption in off-peak hours, significantly reducing the cost per kWh. It’s especially useful if you also use other appliances (washing machine, water heater, etc.) during those hours.
Comparison between standard and time-of-use tariffs
| Type of tariff | Off-peak price | Peak price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard tariff | Same price 24h | — |
| Time-of-use tariff | Up to 50% cheaper | Up to 40% more expensive |
What hours does a time-of-use tariff have?
In general, in summer, the off-peak hours are:
- From 00:00 to 08:00 (Monday to Friday)
- Full weekends and public holidays
In other words, if you run the air conditioning at night, you fall within the cheapest hours.
What power should you contract if you only use it at night?
A power of between 3.45 kW and 4.6 kW is usually enough to cover the AC, fridge and a few other devices. Don’t overpay for power you don’t need.
Tips to make the most of your night-time tariff
- Schedule the air conditioning to switch off after a few hours
- Avoid switching it on right at the start of the peak band
- Use fans as support to maintain the temperature
- Pre-cool the house before dawn if a lot of heat builds up
Are there specific tariffs for air conditioning?
There are no tariffs exclusively for air conditioning, but there are tariffs adapted to night-time habits, which is what you should look for. Some companies even offer wider super-off-peak bands.
How do you know if you’re on the right tariff?
Check your last bill. See whether you have a time-of-use tariff and what percentage of your consumption happens during off-peak. If more than 30–40% happens in that band, you could already benefit.
What if you have solar panels?
Panels produce during the day, so combining them with night-time consumption requires a battery or planning. At Renovae we analyse when you consume and which energy strategy suits you best.
Optimise your AC and your bill with Renovae
At Grupo Renovae we help you choose the best tariff based on your real habits. If you only use the air conditioning at night, you’re losing money if you don’t have the right tariff.