FAQ
What contracted power (potencia) do I need for my home in Spain?
The contracted power (potencia contratada) you need depends on what you use at the same time: with a gas hob and moderate use, 3.45 kW is usually enough; with an induction hob and air conditioning, 4.6 to 5.75 kW is normal; and with an electric car, review your off-peak power or install dynamic load balancing.
What contracted power you need: quick guide
Your potencia contratada (contracted power) is the maximum you can draw at once. Exceed it and the ICP in the smart meter trips and the whole house goes dark. Choosing well avoids cuts and saves money, because every contracted kW is paid for every month, whether you use it or not.
| Your home | Guide power |
|---|---|
| Flat with gas hob, no air conditioning | 3.45 kW |
| Flat with induction hob and air conditioning | 4.6 to 5.75 kW |
| Home with several climate units, aerothermal heat pump or many simultaneous loads | over 5.75 kW, ideally after a consumption study |
| With an electric car | review off-peak power or install dynamic load balancing |
Contracted power is not what your wiring allows
Your installation has a technical limit, the maximum admissible power, shown on the boletín (electrical certificate). A home with basic electrification is designed for a minimum of 5,750 W and one with high electrification for 9,200 W. You can contract less than that limit, but not more without upgrading the installation.
How to work out yours
- Think of your worst moment of the day: lunchtime in summer, with oven, hob, air conditioning and dishwasher.
- Add up what runs at the same time at that moment, not everything you own.
- If the power often goes then, you are short. If it never goes, you may have too much.
Measuring is the most accurate way. A consumption study with a meter costs roughly 50 to 150 euros, and a consumption monitor fitted in the fuse box 120 to 300 euros.
Two powers on the 2.0TD tariff
On the 2.0TD tariff, used by homes up to 15 kW, there are two power periods and three energy periods. You can contract one power for peak (P1) and a different one for off-peak (P2). Power costs about 30 euros per kW per year, so raising only the off-peak power is the cheap way to charge an EV overnight without touching the daytime figure.
When lowering your power saves money
If the ICP never trips and you have a lot of power contracted, dropping one step reduces the fixed part of your bill. Do it with data, not by guesswork, so you are not caught short in summer.
When to call an electrician
When you want to go above what your installation allows, when the ICP trips often or when you are not sure which power suits you. In Seville, Spain we handle it through increase contracted power, and power and tariff studies through solar and energy efficiency. More answers in our FAQ.
Related services
Increase contracted power
You need to increase your electricity power in Spain when the smart meter cuts everything off as soon as the air conditioning, the oven and the washing machine run together. We check what power your installation can take, upgrade the supply cable, main switch and fuse board if needed, and issue the boletín so the distributor approves the increase.
Power limiter tripping
If your smart meter keeps cutting the power when you switch several things on at once, the ICP power limiter is tripping because you are exceeding your contracted power (potencia contratada). We review your consumption and your installation and tell you whether organising your appliances is enough or whether it is worth increasing the power in Seville, Spain.
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Need an electrician in Seville, Spain?
Call us or send a WhatsApp message with a photo of the job. You get a fixed quote before any work starts.