OMIC

Like water and gas, electricity is considered one of the basic services, necessary and essential for everyday life. Its use is widespread. Unfortunately, every year it is one of the sectors with the highest numbers of consumer claims and enquiries.

You must therefore check very carefully:

• The terms of the contract: make sure it does not contain any additional services that you do not want to be included, choose the type of contract most appropriate to your needs and keep a copy of both the contract and the offer if you have carried out the transaction online, by phone or at home with a salesperson.
• Social discounts: find out if you qualify for a lower price. If you are in a situation of financial vulnerability, you may qualify for discounts of between 25% and 40%. Find out about electricity bill subsidies for families.
• Prices and services: compare the different companies’ prices and services before you sign up for the service, and choose the tariff and power that are most appropriate to your needs, taking into account the most expensive time slots. Remember that you will have to pay to change the contracted power and that this can only be done once a year.
• Offers and advertising: electricity providers are not allowed to visit you at home or call you to make an offer without your prior consent. If you receive an offer, consider it carefully before signing up for a service, and don’t give any personal or bank details until you are sure you want to go ahead.

If you want to make a claim, you have two options: either use the physical address of the company provided in the contract and/or bills or call the free phone number for claims and incidents, in which case you should ask for a reference number. You should receive an answer within 30 days. If you do not receive it within that time, you can make a claim at the Municipal Consumer Information Office or by calling the 010 helpline.