Cost of Living
Smart home gadgets that cut your electricity bill in Spain
How Spanish electricity tariffs work and the smart plugs, timers and appliances that help you use cheaper hours and lower your bill.
Updated: October 2026
Electricity in Spain is priced by the hour, and many homes heat and cool with electric air conditioning. That makes smart gadgets more useful here than in many other countries: moving the washing machine or water heater to cheaper hours, and switching off what you do not use, can make a real difference to your bill. Here are the gadgets worth having and how to use them.
First: understand your tariff
Most homes are on the 2.0TD access tariff, which splits the day into three periods (mainland and Balearics):
- Peak (punta): 10:00–14:00 and 18:00–22:00 on weekdays – most expensive.
- Mid (llano): 08:00–10:00, 14:00–18:00 and 22:00–24:00 on weekdays.
- Off-peak (valle): 00:00–08:00 on weekdays and all day at weekends and national holidays – cheapest.
On the regulated PVPC tariff the energy price also changes every hour; on many free-market contracts you pay a fixed price or different prices per period. Check your bill or your supplier’s app. More in our guide to electricity, water, gas and internet bills.
Smart gadgets that save energy
- Smart plugs with a timer and energy meter. Plug in the washing machine, dishwasher or a heater and set it to run in off-peak hours. The app shows how much each device really uses – often an eye-opener.
- Timer for the electric water heater (termo). Many flats have an electric termo that keeps water hot all day. Heating it only in off-peak hours, or once a day, cuts waste. Ask an electrician to fit a timer or smart switch.
- Smart thermostat or Wi-Fi control for air conditioning. Split AC units heat and cool most Spanish homes. A Wi-Fi module or smart IR controller lets you switch them on half an hour before you get home instead of leaving them on.
- LED bulbs and smart lighting. Replacing old halogen spots with LED is one of the quickest savings; lighting specialists such as El Maestro de la Iluminación (ad) sell LED bulbs and fittings.
- Energy monitor. A clamp-on monitor in the fuse box shows live consumption for the whole home and helps you find “energy vampires”.
- Dehumidifier with humidity control. Coastal homes get damp in winter. A dehumidifier makes rooms feel warmer at a lower temperature and protects against mould.
When to replace appliances
Old fridges, freezers and air conditioners can use far more electricity than modern ones. When you replace them, look at the EU energy label and, for AC, choose an inverter model with a good seasonal efficiency rating. Spanish retailers such as Electropolis (ad) and Kyoto Electrodomésticos (ad) sell appliances online with delivery in Spain. Remember that the shop must take your old appliance back when you buy a new equivalent one.
Simple habits that cost nothing
- Run the washing machine, dishwasher and oven at weekends or after 22:00 where you can.
- Set the AC to around 26 °C in summer and 20 °C in winter – each degree makes a difference.
- Close shutters (persianas) in the heat of the day in summer and at night in winter.
- Switch devices off at the plug instead of leaving them on standby.
Working from home? See our guide to buying a laptop and home office equipment in Spain.
FAQ: saving electricity in Spain
When is electricity cheapest in Spain?
On the 2.0TD tariff, from midnight to 08:00 on weekdays and all day at weekends and national holidays.
Do smart plugs really save money?
They save money when you use them to move consumption to cheaper hours or to switch off devices on standby. The plug itself uses very little power.
Is air conditioning expensive to run for heating?
Modern inverter heat pumps are among the most efficient ways to heat with electricity. Old units and portable electric heaters cost much more to run.
Disclaimer: Tariff periods and prices can change; check your contract and bill. This article is general information. Links marked “(ad)” are affiliate links – NewInSpain may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
