the extra money you can get by purchasing a washing machine, refrigerator or an electric car

Being respectful of the planet and contributing to energy saving also currently has a direct financial reward. Because companies, to comply with current regulations, now pay consumers for prioritize the implementation of an energy action that contributes to reducing the amount of energy used in a certain activity.

Thus, for Replacing an old appliance with an efficient onethe installation of aerothermal energy, the change of windows or the acquisition of an electric car to the detriment of a combustion one, Spaniards can obtain what is called Energy Savings Certificate (CAE)an “instrument that allows energy savings to be monetized.”

“An Energy Savings Certificate (CAE) is a electronic document that guarantees that, after carrying out an energy efficiency action, it has been achieved a new final energy saving equivalent to 1 kWh. In this way, if an action is undertaken that implies a new annual saving of 500 kWh, 500 CAE can be obtained,” explains the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.

The department he heads Sara Aagesen assures that “this instrument allows monetize energy savingsrecovering part of the cost of investments in energy efficiency (change of lighting, improvement of thermal insulation, renovation of industrial or domestic equipment, etc.), since the end user may receive a consideration if it sells – to companies – the savings obtained for subsequent certification through the CAE System”.

In short, the CAE is a official document that recognizes that you have generated savings with some energy efficiency action; and that savings has an economic value, so you can charge money for it. It is the large energy companies (marketers of electricity, gas, petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas) that, obliged by current legislation, purchase these savings – often from other companies – to offset their emissions.

Regarding the amount to be received by the consumer, there is no fixed amount. Everything will depend on the estimated energy savings achieved. In the case of household appliances, various sources consulted indicate that the financial compensation is usually around 50 euros. For the electric car, on the other hand, Discounts usually range between 800 and 1,500 euros per vehicle; while the CAE for an installation in which the old gas boiler is replaced by an aerothermal system It can range between 1,000 and 3,000 euros.

It has its origin in Directive 2012/27/EU

The CAE were created to help meet the European energy efficiency targets set out in the European Green Deal and the Directive 2012/27/EU. This regulation requires reducing energy consumption, and the CAEs allow energy distribution and marketing companies to offset their obligations by financing actions. Currently, the goal, with the horizon set in the year 20230, is to improve energy efficiency to 32.5% in all countries of the union.

Subscribe to the Mi Bolsillo Newsletter to receive the best tips and tricks that will allow you to get the most out of your budget.