Respuesta rápida
PVPC is Spain's regulated hourly-pricing electricity tariff (tracked to the OMIE wholesale pool plus peajes), only for ≤10 kW consumers. The free market offers fixed or indexed contracts from private suppliers. PVPC often beats free market by 15–25%/year for households that shift load to valle hours; a well-priced fixed tariff wins for rigid daytime usage. PVPC bans maintenance add-ons by law.
En 30 segundos
- ✓Locate the 'Datos del contrato' section to see if you are in 'PVPC' or 'Mercado Libre'.
- ✓Identify your maximum power peaks (P1 and P2) to see if you are overpaying for capacity.
- ✓Check the 'Servicios adicionales' line for maintenance fees that add no value.
Ready for a bill autopsy?
Upload your bill and let our IA find the hidden 'vampires' and the best tariff for you in 30 seconds. No calls, no spam.
Why you can trust it
- Free and no signup
- AI trained on the Spanish market (~30s)
- Privacy-first: ephemeral processing (we don't store your bills)
Transparencia y fuentes
Autoría
Equipo ahorr.ai
Auditoría energética (España)
Actualizado: 21 de abril de 2026
Metodología orientada a decisión: separar coste fijo/variable, detectar extras y comparar opciones con números claros.
Metodología
- →Separamos coste fijo (potencia/término fijo), energía y cargos/impuestos.
- →Buscamos sobrecostes típicos: potencia sobredimensionada, servicios extra, lecturas estimadas.
- →Damos pasos accionables (qué tocar primero) con ejemplos orientativos, no promesas.
- →Enlazamos fuentes oficiales y marcamos lo que puede variar por comercializadora.
Información orientativa (España). Comprueba condiciones con tu comercializadora: precios, peajes, cargos e impuestos pueden variar.
The Real Difference Between PVPC and the Free Market
Understanding the DNA of your bill is the first step to saving. The Spanish market is divided into two distinct zones, and knowing where you stand is vital.
What They Sell You vs. What You Actually Pay
Marketing often highlights a low price per kWh while hiding high power costs or mandatory maintenance services. In the free market, 'discounts' are frequently applied to inflated base prices, making the 'deal' less attractive than it appears.
The Trap of Comparing Only kWh
Comparing only the energy price is a mistake. You must look at the total 'effective' price, which includes the power term, taxes, and any hidden extras that don't exist in the regulated PVPC.
Decision Matrix: When Each One Wins
Your habits are the fingerprints that tell us which tariff you should use. There is no universal 'best' option, only the best for your profile.
If You Mostly Consume in Peak Hours
If your main consumption happens during the day (working from home, laundry at noon), a stable free market rate might protect you from high PVPC peaks during expensive hours.
If You Can Shift Consumption to Valle
If you can automate appliances to run at night or on weekends, the PVPC often provides the lowest possible cost because it lacks the 'risk premium' companies charge for fixed rates.
Risks and Small Print (In Plain English)
Every contract has its 'dark' corners. Here is what to watch out for to avoid being trapped in an expensive plan.
Volatility
PVPC is transparent but volatile. If the international gas market spikes, your bill will reflect it the next day. Free market rates offer a shield, but you pay for that insurance in your base price.
Permanence Clauses and Add-Ons
The free market often uses 'loyalty' clauses. If you leave early, you might pay a penalty of 5% of the estimated remaining energy. PVPC never has permanence or exit fees.
How to Decide Using Your Real Consumption (No Opinion-itis)
Stop listening to anecdotes and start looking at your data. Your smart meter has already recorded the truth of your energy usage.
What Your Bill Is Already Telling You
Your bill contains your CUPS (Universal Supply Point Code), which is the key to your consumption history. This data, not a salesperson's pitch, should dictate your choice.
Call to Action: Audit First
The fastest way to solve the mystery is to run a forensic audit. By analyzing your actual usage, you can see if you are a candidate for PVPC or if a specific free market offer is better for your wallet.
Forensic Checklist: Auditing Your Current Tariff
- ✓Locate the 'Datos del contrato' section to see if you are in 'PVPC' or 'Mercado Libre'.
- ✓Identify your maximum power peaks (P1 and P2) to see if you are overpaying for capacity.
- ✓Check the 'Servicios adicionales' line for maintenance fees that add no value.
- ✓Verify if your price per kWh is fixed for 12 months or indexed to the hourly pool (OMIE).
- ✓Look for permanence clauses that might penalize you for switching providers.
- ✓Compare your 'effective price' (total bill divided by kWh) against the current PVPC average.
Decision Matrix: PVPC vs. Free Market
| Feature | PVPC (Regulated) | Free Market (Fixed/Indexed) |
|---|---|---|
| Price Stability | High volatility (changes hourly with the market) | High stability (usually fixed for 12 months) |
| Maintenance Services | Prohibited by law in this tariff | Often bundled as 'discounts' or hidden fees |
| Best for... | Users who can shift consumption to night/weekends | Users who want a predictable monthly budget |
| Permanence | None (switch whenever you want) | Varies (often 12 months with penalties) |
The PVPC price is directly linked to the wholesale market (OMIE) plus regulated tolls, with no profit margin added by the provider.
The Scottish Retiree's Hidden Free-Market Premium in Málaga
A Scottish retiree in a 65 m² Málaga flat was on a 'safe' free-market fixed rate he'd signed 5 years earlier. Audit showed 4.15 kW contracted for a one-person household peaking at 2.3 kW, plus a €6.50/month 'OK Luz' add-on. Simulating PVPC on his actual consumption showed a 22% saving — and PVPC legally forbids add-ons.
Hallazgos
- ✓Contracted 4.15 kW vs. real peak of 2.3 kW.
- ✓€6.50/month 'OK Luz' service (illegal on PVPC by design).
- ✓Simulated PVPC switch: 22% annual saving vs. current free-market plan.
No bill handy?
You can still create a profile to monitor market prices and receive alerts when it's time to switch.
Preguntas frecuentes
Why trust ahorr.ai?
Free and no signup required. AI trained on the Spanish market. Privacy-first: we don't store your bills.
Disclaimers
- Informational tool; not financial advice.
- We don’t guarantee savings: these are estimates.