The G13 tariff - when is it worth choosing it?
Electricity is an integral part of our daily lives. Without it, many of our appliances and systems would not work. Paying electricity bills can be a significant expense in the household budget. The right electricity tariff can significantly reduce your bills, provided it is matched to your household lifestyle and habits. It is therefore useful to understand what electricity tariffs are, which tariff to choose and how we can influence our electricity bills. Will the G13 tariff be a good solution for your household? Check!
Electricity tariffs - what are they?
Electricity tariffs are the pricing system according to which electricity suppliers charge for electricity consumption. There are many different electricity tariffs, but the main types can be divided into two main categories:
- Fixed tariffs: With fixed tariffs, the charges are the same throughout the contract period. This means that you pay the same amount for electricity regardless of the time of day or year.
- Temporary tariffs: Time-of-day tariffs divide the day into different periods, usually dividing days into peak and off-peak hours. Electricity charges vary according to the time of day. You may pay more during peak hours.
How to affect your electricity bills?
- Energy efficiency: One of the most important ways to reduce your electricity bills is to increase the energy efficiency of your home. You can do this by replacing outdated appliances with more energy-efficient models, insulating your building and using energy-efficient light bulbs.
- Consumption monitoring: Use tools to monitor your energy consumption, such as smart electricity meters. These will allow you to keep track of when you are using the most electricity and take action to reduce this consumption during peak periods.
- Choosing the right tariff: If you have a choice of electricity tariffs, consider which will best suit your lifestyle. If you are able to avoid using electricity at peak times, time-of-use tariffs may be beneficial. If you are a small electricity user, progressive tariffs may be cheaper.
- Renewable energy sources: Consider investing in renewable energy sources such as solar panels or a small wind turbine. This can help reduce your electricity bill and reduce your impact on the environment.
What is the G13 tariff?
Three-zone electricity tariff - only available to households with a three-phase connection to the grid. It divides the day into three price zones: the morning (medium prices), the afternoon (high prices) and the remaining hours (low prices).
Tariff designations:
- G - group of recipients using different types of voltage (mostly low), but for the purposes of non-commercial, mostly private.
- 1 - the value of the contracted capacity less than 40 kW + precharge protection up to 63 A (it informs about the maximum electric current - i.e. how much load the installation can withstand)
- 3 - three-zone tariff - The day is divided into three parts, the distributor decides on their division and prices. Many distributors divide the day into a morning peak (i.e. from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.) covered by an average rate per kWh, an afternoon peak (associated with a high price, also dependent on season, e.g. in summer from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and in winter from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and other hours (lowest price, e.g. in winter from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.).
The G13 tariff - for whom?
If you consciously use electricity during the day when the lowest rates are offered, and have the option of programming your appliances to energy-saving mode at specific times, you can reduce your electricity bills with the G13 tariff.
It is also beneficial for households that heat their building with electricity or a heat pump. However, the G13 tariff will only be viable if at least 60% of electricity for heating is taken from the low price zone.
In addition, if you have a hybrid or 100 % electric car, then you can charge your car during the low prices.
How do I switch to the G13 tariff?
Once a year, you can change your energy tariff free of charge - all you have to do is apply to your electricity retailer. The distributor will be obliged to replace your meter.
The G13 tariff is currently only offered by Tauron (as at 31 October 2023).
