Why do your appliances keep blowing the system in your new holiday home in Italy?

Why do your appliances keep blowing the system in your new holiday home in Italy?

Italian homes come with a basic 3.5kw (3500 watts) power supply. This is much less than we are used to in the UK and the USA for example.

Traditionally Italian homes would not have had a kettle – they don’t drink tea.

or a toaster - they are not big on breakfast and don’t eat toast.

or a clothes drier  - they still dry their clothes outside.

they cook with a gas hob, instead of electric.

So when you move into your holiday home and buy all your usual appliances, and live your life as you would at home – i.e. put the kettle on, with the toaster and the dishwasher, then your trip switch will flip.

There are 2 alternatives:

Learn to live like an Italian or apply to your electricity supplier to increase you supply. This is actually very easy. Or if you are building a new house or buying a new build, ask for it at the time of negotiation.

If you wish to increase your supply and your supplier is ENEL, simply call them or go into their local office. You will sign a document and pay the fee for the increase, currently €182.00 for 4.5kw (4500 watts) or €303.00 for 6kw (6000 watts)      . Then your monthly fixed fee will be increased by €14.50. Problem solved!

Handy chart to work out usage:

Item	watts
60 w light bulb	60
60w energy saving bulb	11
blender	300
hairdrier	1000
washing machine (average cycle)	700
clothes drier	2800
microwave	1000-1500
oven	1750-2500
electric grill	1400-2900
electric hob per ring (small)	1000-1500
electric hob per ring large	1600-3000
dish washer	1200
freezer	540-700
fridge	35
toaster	1000
kettle	1800-2400
LCD monitor	75
desktop pc	90
router	10
printer	3
TV	115
pool pump	1600-2200