FAQS
1.1 - How to contact Ecochoice ?
1.2 - What do I need to do to break the contract with my current Marketer?
The terms of rescission or waiving of the energy contract shall be indicated in the agreement with the Seller. It is important to consult the general and particular conditions of the current contract.
1.3 - What data do I need to request an Ecochoice Energy Supply Proposal?
In order to be able to present a proposal adjusted to your consumption, please indicate:
- Supply voltage;
- Contracted power;
- Monthly / annual consumption disaggregated by hourly rate;
- Time cycle.
Or sending copy(s) of energy invoice(s).
1.4 - What parameters should I consider when analyzing a power supply proposal?
When analyzing a proposal, the Customer should take into account the active energy tariffs presented by the Marketer, as well as the tariffs for access to the Networks (Energy, Contracted Power and Power of Hours), whose values are regulated annually by ERSE. The Client should also analyze the values presented taking into account the hourly breakdown of their consumption.
1.5 - How is my consumption invoiced ?
The energy consumption is billed in € / kWh, based on the reading of the meter. This cost is the result of the sum of the energy tariffs for access to the Networks, regulated by ERSE and the tariffs of active energy applied by the Marketer.
For supplies in Low Voltage Normal (BTN), consumption can be determined by reading the meter If it does not occur, consumption will be invoiced by estimate, which in turn will be carried out by the Electric Energy Distributor.
1.6 - Which rate is best for my consumption, and what should I do to change it ?
For Normal Low Voltage (BTN) supplies, the Customer can choose between three fixed tariff options:
- Three-hour tariff: Disaggregates costs in three time periods, namely Hours of Tip, Full and Empty (composed by the Hours of Empty and Super Empty);
- Two-hour rate: Disaggregates costs in two time periods, namely Out of Empty (composed of peak and full hours) and Empty (composed by the hours of Empty and Super Empty);
- Single Rate: Breaks down costs in a single time period.
For supplies in Special Low Voltage (BTE), Medium Voltage (MV), High Voltage (AT) and Very High Voltage (MAT), the only tariff option is tetra-hour, in which a fixed cost is applied to each time period ( Hours of Tip, Full, Empty and Super Empty).
The tariff that best fits each consumer will be the one that, according to their profile of consumption and the cycle in contract, will allow to minimize the final cost of the electric bill.
To change, you may contact your Dealer.
1.7 - Which cycle best suits my consumption, and what should I do to change it ?
The cycle that best suits each consumer will depend on the schedule of operation / consumption of your facility. In the liberalized market, in Mainland Portugal, the Client may choose between the following possibilities as regards the allocation of the time period:
The Daily Cycle (available only for BTN and BTE) establishes a time period, consisting of Hours of Tip, Full, Empty and Super Empty, which is identical on all days of the week, ie without distinction between working days and days of Weekend.
In the Weekly Cycle (available for all deliveries in Mainland Portugal) the time periods differ between working days, Saturdays, and Sundays:
- Weekdays (weekdays) are divided into the four time periods;
- Saturdays are divided into three time periods (Full, Empty and Super Empty);
- Sundays distributed only in Empty and Super Empty.
The customer may also opt for the optional weekly cycle (only available for supplies in MT, AT and MAT), similar to the weekly cycle, but the time periods vary at different times.
For example, in the summer, in the weekly cycle the peak hours are from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., while in the optional weekly cycle this period is between 14:00 and 17:00.
In order to change the contract cycle, the Customer must contact his Marketer.
1.8 - How should I report the meter reading ?
Ecochoice Clients are offered access to an online portal through which they can report the meter reading.
1.9 - How do I reduce my energy bill ?
You can reduce your energy bill by:
- Reduction of energy consumption. The consumer should pay attention to the equipment he keeps connected when he does not need to, as well as efficiently manage the time of use of the equipment he needs.
- Reduction of energy cost in invoice, adopting cycles, energy tariffs and power tariffs adjusted to the consumption profile of the facility.
1.10 - What is "Contracted Power" and in what form is it billed ?
In a contract in Low Voltage Normal (BTN), the Contracted Power is the limit of power that the electric panel allows to consume in a given instant, from which will turn off, that is, the maximum power available for that installation. Generally, this value must correspond to the maximum power that the Client can consume, that is to say, the sum of the powers of several equipments that can be connected simultaneously. In BTN the Customer can choose between several levels of Contracted Power (1.15 kVA to 41.4 kVA) that best suits your needs. Each step is charged a daily rate (€ / day) or monthly (€ / month), corresponding to the billing period.
In Low Voltage (BTE), Medium Voltage (MV), High Voltage (AT) and Very High Voltage (MAT), the value of the Contracted Power corresponds to the value of the maximum active power taken, in kW, recorded in any uninterrupted interval of 15 minutes during the last 12 months, including the month that the invoice respects. The Contracted Power is billed at € / kW per day, or at € / kW per month.
1.11 - What is "Power at Peak Times" and in what form is it billed ?
Power at peak times is billed in all types of contracts, except Low Normal Voltage (BTN).
Represents the average power taken (kW) at peak times during the billing period. It is expressed in the invoice in € / kW per day, or in € / kW per month.
1.12 - What is the difference between fixed tariff and indexed tariff ?
By choosing a fixed tariff, the Customer will be subject to an energy cost that will remain unchanged during the period of the current supply contract and will not be prejudiced if wholesale prices increase or otherwise benefit. In this way, the risk associated with the variation of the energy cost is assumed by the Marketer.
When opting for indexed tariff, the Customer is subject to the energy cost of the electric market and consequently to the unpredictability of the same. In this way, the risk associated with the variation of the cost of energy is assumed by the Client, and may be benefited or impaired against the choice of the fixed tariff.
