Many households in Stockholm and the rest of Sweden have recently received the news that grid fees (elnätsavgifter) are increasing. While we can influence our variable electricity price (the spot price) by choosing the right electricity company and adjusting consumption, many feel powerless in the face of the grid operators' fixed fees.
But there is a loophole. Your grid fee is largely based on the size of your house's main fuse (e.g., 16A, 20A, or 25A). Through smart technology, you can often lower your fuse size and thus save thousands of kronor every year.
Why are grid fees increasing?
Grid operators (such as Ellevio and Vattenfall) often point out that the Swedish electricity grid is in great need of modernization and expansion. The increased electrification of society – more electric cars and heat pumps – creates bottlenecks in the grid. This infrastructure upgrade is largely financed through increased fixed and variable transmission fees for the consumer.
How to lower your grid fee
The most effective way to reduce your fixed grid costs is to downgrade your fuse – that is, switch to a smaller main fuse. The price difference between a 16A and 25A fuse can in many municipalities be over 3,000 - 4,000 SEK per year.
But if you have an electric car and a heat pump, is it really possible to lower the fuse size without blowing it constantly? The answer is yes, if you use the right technology:
1. Load Balancing for EV Charging
The most common reason for "upgrading" to 20A or 25A is buying an electric car. If you charge the car at high power while the heat pump and oven are running, the main fuse will trip.
The solution is dynamic load balancing. This smart meter talks to your EV charger (e.g., Zaptec or Easee) and senses how much power the house is consuming in real-time. If the house is using a lot of electricity, the car's charging is temporarily reduced. At night, when the house draws less, charging is maximized. This allows you to keep your cheaper 16A fuse!
2. Smart Home Control
Systems like Plejd or Wiser can help control energy-heavy appliances, ensuring they are not run simultaneously. Some modern heat pumps can also be integrated to sense the load.
3. Battery Storage
If you have solar panels, a home battery can shave off "power peaks". When you need to draw a lot of power for a short while, the battery takes the hit, ensuring the power grid and your main fuse are not overloaded.
Want to know if you can downgrade your fuse?
At Smista Elinstallation, we daily help homeowners in Stockholm optimize their homes' energy consumption. We can analyze your usage, install load balancing, and help you with the paperwork to ask your grid operator to lower your connection size.
Contact us today for a free consultation and see how much you can save on next year's grid invoice!
