
Logo from the DEH website
A majority 3.5 million homes in Greece are poorly built, uninsulated and/or do not have properly installed double-pane glass windows and doors. Studies commissioned by the European Environment Agency show that Greek households consume 3.5 times more energy than Finland to heat homes in winter, which means they also require more energy to cool in summer.
DEH (Δημόσια Επιχείρηση Ηλεκτρισμού), or the PPC (Public Power Corporation), and DEDDIE, offer an off-peak discounted electricity rate that saves you money on your electric bill and saves the environment by conserving resources and reducing pollution.
Since the recession started in 2008, rates have risen 60 percent, the largest hike in the EU, and are set to go higher through 2016. This included a 9.2 percent increase on January 1, 2012, and 9 percent and 11 percent on January 1, 2013 and July 25, 2014.
Households looking to reduce costs may consider it a worthwhile option, especially since the signup process only demands a few steps and minimal bureaucracy.
*Article last updated October 30, 2014
Two programs
Currently, there are two programs.
a. Continuous: Off-peak discounted rates between 23:00-07:00 year-round are available to property owners or customers who signed up prior to 1988 and new customers in select areas.
b. Mixed (Segmented): Off-peak discounted rates between 23:00-07:00 from May 1 to October 31 and between 15:00-17:00 or 15:30-17:30, depending on your area, and 02:00-08:00 from November 1 to April 30. Most new customers will be given this program.
*Please note that exact schedules and the availability of programs vary according to area.
Customers who signed up for the ‘continuous’ program before 1988 can switch to the ‘segmented’ program if they can justify shifting their usage to the afternoon hours in winter. Those who switch to ‘segmented’ cannot return to ‘continuous.’
How to sign up
You must submit an application and pay for this privilege. It is not a nationwide system that allows everyone to enjoy discounted rates during certain hours.
1. Hire a certified electrician to inspect and install an additional service wire (blue or yellow color, 1.5 mm²) on the meter. — Prices vary according to the electrician and your connections (0-100 euros).
*Optional – A wire and light in your fuse box can also be installed to remind you of the off-peak schedule, but they are not required if you can remember on your own.
2. The electrician issues a certificate that the service wire was installed.
3. Take the certificate and a recent electric bill to a DEH office, then fill out an application.
4. Pay a non-refundable fee of 29.35 34 euros plus VAT.
5. The DEH employee will tell you the exact off-peak schedule of your property and when the rate takes effect (can be immediately or more than a week).
If you’re a renter
The landlord may or may not agree to pay all or half the cost of the electrician and DEH fees to obtain the off-peak discounted rate.
Installing the wire and signing up for the discount program adds value to the house and may be easier to rent to future tenants even after you leave. However, the landlord is not obligated to share costs. Therefore, it is important to consider whether your investment in a cut-rate plan justifies the overall savings in electricity and will pay for itself during the time you plan to stay.
Should you not have the best relationship with your landlord and he/she isn’t willing to reimburse you for any charges, you can cut the wire on the meter and go to DEH to terminate the program when you move.
How much money can you save?
Depends on your consumption and specific needs. Every home and household is uniquely different.
Some factors to consider:
- How much energy you use
- Duration of your stay in Greece at a specific residence
- Size and location of your home
- How well your residence is built, if it has insulation and what floor it’s located (if applicable)
- If you run energy-saving ‘A’-rated appliances with timers: Washer, dryers, ovens, dishwashers and air conditioner/heater units can be set to run during off-peak hours.
- How often you and your family are at home and run major appliances.
The deposit and electrician fee can pay for itself in a matter of months. People in my circle who had it installed were repaid their investment on a single bill with savings on air conditioning costs in summer, and one family reported saving 136 euros in a four-month period just by setting the dishwasher to run after 23:00, which proves a single action can make a noticeable difference.
Results will vary depending on your rate of consumption, awareness to conservation and use of the program.
*Private electricity providers get their power from DEH/PPC, so using them is not guaranteed to save money and many are in financial trouble.
How it appears on your bill
The electricity bill will show the fixed charge, in addition to consumption at the regular rate and discounted rate in separate entries. Off-peak charges are 0.054 per kWh and 4 euros per quarter.
Where to call or visit
Branches throughout Greece can be found locally by municipality in a map book available from any periptero (kiosk), or by calling ‘1250’ to inquire.
A location nearest you can also be found by searching:
- In Greek: “”Καταστήματα ΔΕΗ“
- In English: “DEH/PPC offices in Greece“
Where to Pay Your Bill
There are five ways to pay your bill. See the updated section Paying Your Bill at “DEH/PPC offices in Greece.”
Other ways to save money
1. Install CFLs (compact fluorescent lamp) that last longer and consume less energy, instead of using regular incandescent bulbs (incandescent bulbs no longer manufactured/sold in EU, though some sit on dusty shelves)
2. Buy appliances that are energy efficient
3. Shut down your computer and modem when they’re not being used, not in sleep or standby*
4. Put your TV, VCR, stereo and anything else on a power strip to turn off at night or when leaving the house instead of leaving them on standby*
5. Unplug your phone/iPod/battery charger when finished
6. Set up a solar water heater on the roof
*Anything on standby, as indicated by a clock or light, is using electricity even if the actual device is not turned on. Phone/iPod/battery chargers that are plugged in are still using power, even if there is nothing connected.
Sources
“Η κρίση κάνει καλό στο περιβάλλον” — To Vima
“Από 1η Νοεμβρίου το νυχτερινό τιμολόγιο της ΔΕΗ” — Eleftherotypia
“Private electricity providers Hellas Power & Energa in financial trouble” — Bloomberg
“ΔΕΗ: Από 1ης Νοεμβρίου το χειμερινό ωράριο για το νυχτερινό ρεύμα” — Naftemporiki
Information from certified electricians
Personal experience and first-hand experiences of others who had it installed
For comparison purposes only
DEH off-peak electricity tariff page (created 3 years after my article)
Related posts
“Stay warm in winter, save money, save the planet”
“10 Easy ways to save the planet”
“One apartment, hold the mold”
The Author
Kat is a well-traveled journalist and author. To learn more, see “About Me.”
- Livingingreece.gr was created in 2007 to present meticulously researched original articles that fill a gap left by traditional media, government portals and commercial websites/forums run by people without credentials.
- @LivinginGreece is a Twitter feed curated from recognized Greek and international news agencies to provide breaking news about Greece, plus real-time updates and insider tips mined from 17 years experience.
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bit.ly/DEHoffpeak
Kat Reply:
July 24th, 2007 at 18:48
Rositta, you do a lot to conserve energy and the environment! No worries.