Is a flat tariff better for heating?

Usually, yes. Heating demand often peaks in the early evening, which is exactly when time-of-use tariffs are at their most expensive. A flat tariff protects you from these evening price spikes.

Should I use heating at night in Spain?

If you are on a time-of-use tariff, heating at night is very cheap. However, unless you have storage heaters, that heat will dissipate by morning. It's usually better to just get a cheap flat rate and heat when you need it.

What electricity tariff is best for heat pumps?

Heat pumps work best when left on to maintain a steady temperature. Therefore, a low flat-rate tariff is the perfect match, as it avoids punishing you for running the system during the day or evening.

Can the wrong tariff double my heating cost?

Easily. If you run a 2kW heater for 4 hours every evening on an expensive indexed or time-of-use tariff (paying €0.25/kWh), it costs €2 per day. On a good flat tariff (paying €0.10/kWh), it costs €0.80.

Best Electricity Tariff for Electric Heating in Spain

The best electricity tariff for electric heating in Spain is usually a low flat-rate tariff or a tariff where your heating hours match the cheapest periods. For many households, a simple flat rate is easier and safer than a complex time-of-use plan.

Flat Rate vs Time-of-Use Tariff

When you heat your home, you completely change your electricity usage profile. Suddenly, your biggest energy draw happens between 6 PM and 11 PM—exactly when you want to sit on the sofa and stay warm.

A Time-of-Use (ToU) tariff has a massive price spike (P1 period) from 10 AM to 2 PM, and from 6 PM to 10 PM. If you use heating during these hours, you pay a heavy penalty.

A Flat Rate tariff charges you the same amount no matter when you use the electricity. This allows you to turn the heating on precisely when you need it without worrying about the clock.

Tariff type	Best for	Risk	Notes
Flat-rate tariff	Most households, heat pumps	Very low	Peace of mind, easy to understand
Time-of-use tariff	Storage heaters (night heating)	High (evening spikes)	Requires strict discipline
Indexed tariff	Market experts	High (winter prices)	Market prices often rise in winter
Virtual battery tariff	Homes with solar panels	Medium	Use summer solar credits in winter

Why Evening Prices Matter

During the Spanish winter, the sun goes down early and the temperature drops rapidly. By 6 PM, most people want the heating on. Unfortunately, the Spanish grid experiences peak demand from 6 PM to 10 PM. If your tariff exposes you to these peak prices, your winter bills will be brutally high.

Octopus Relax Example

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What to Check on Your Bill

If you don't know what tariff you are on, check your last electricity bill. Look for "Energía Consumida" or "Termino de Energía". If you see multiple prices for P1, P2, and P3, you are on a time-of-use tariff. If you only see one price, you are on a flat rate.

Heating with electricity? Your tariff matters.

Upload your bill and we’ll compare over 50 tariffs in Spain to see if you’re overpaying. A bad tariff can double your heating cost.

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