By Vangelis Dourakis

“Hidden Charges” that raise the cost of the electricity of up to 89% exist in the “fine letters” of the new blue accounts: with the lure of fixed billing all electricity providers engage in clients, attempting to incorporate them into fixed, blue tariffs, which are now at least 1 year.

However, interested parties should know that “that it shines is not gold” and that fixed invoices hide “traps”.

There are two key factors that determine the final price paid per kilowatt -hour each month by the consumer who will choose to commit to a blue invoice. The so -called “consistency discount” and the amount of the asset accompanying each account.
In particular, consumers should be aware that 5 euros have been set only on “green” invoices when “blue” is freely set up. Currently on fixed billing accounts it ranges between 9 to 10 euros per month.

Offers on blue invoices and… real charges

There are also lower fixed charges that are customary to be accompanied at a higher cost per kilowatt -hour.

A key factor in the final prices of blue invoices is the “consistency” in repayment.

All fixed invoices offer a low charge, but in essence it is a discount that is maintained at these levels only if the consumer pays at … time.

So, if the customer neglects to pay the current, then he will suddenly find himself to pay a “inflated” price of even 89% greater than he was counting.

To understand to what extent the two above factors affect the final charges on a blue invoice, let’s look at a relevant example for a family consumption of 400 kWh per month.

This household has therefore chosen a common blue invoice, from those currently on the market, which provides for 9 minutes a kilowatt -hour (0.09 €/kWh) and a one -year commitment.

However, each month it will also have to pay a fixed charge of 9.90 euros, which if divided by the amount of consumption (400 kWh) translates to an additional 2 minutes of kilowatt (0.02 €/kWh).

In other words, the “stable” 9 -minute invoice is essentially a kilowatt -hour (0.11 €/kWh).

So good morning the consumer should know that the actual charge is not 9 minutes, but 11 minutes a month, that is an amount increased by 22% compared to the one launched as a kilowatt -hour charge.

The large ‘trap’ over -indebted by 89%

The biggest “trap” in blue invoices, however, is the infamous “consistency discount”: If the customer is delayed even one day to pay his account because he forgot it, then the price per kilowatt hour from 9 minutes rises to 17 minutes per kilowatt (€ 0.17).

CAUTION, then: In order for consumers to know clearly what they pay for when they receive bids for blue invoices, they must first read the “fine letters” well.