Electricity is currently supplied by the state-owned National Electricity Company (NEK), but the market will be fully liberalised by 2007 to meet EU competition requirements, allowing customers to buy electricity directly from producers.
Unlike liberalisation in most Western countries, this is leading to significant price increases, as electricity has hitherto been subsidised in Bulgaria, although the government is trying to spread the price rises over an extended period. Electricity prices are currently on a par with the UK but are expected to double in 2007.
The electricity supply in Bulgaria is delivered to homes at 220/240 volts (V) with a frequency of 50 Hertz (Hz). If you’re moving from a country with a 110V supply (e.g. the US) your electrical equipment will require a converter or a transformer to convert it to 240V, although some electrical appliances (e.g. electric razors and hair dryers) are fitted with a 110/240 volt switch.
Check for the switch, which may be inside the casing, and make sure it is switched to 240V before connecting it to the power supply. Converters are suitable only for appliances without circuit boards or microchips that don’t need to be plugged in for long periods (e.g. heaters, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners and coffee machines).
Electronic appliances such as computers, fax machines, TVs and video players must be connected to the supply via a step-down transformer. Add the wattage of all the devices you intend to connect to a transformer and make sure that its power rating exceeds this sum. Converters and transformers can be bought in most DIY shops, although in most cases it’s simpler (and cheaper) to buy new appliances in Bulgaria.
An additional problem with some electrical equipment is the frequency rating, which in some countries, e.g. the US and Canada, is 60 Hertz (Hz) whereas in Bulgaria it’s 50Hz. Electrical equipment without a motor is generally unaffected by the drop in frequency to 50Hz. Equipment with a motor may run with a 20 per cent drop in speed; however, automatic washing machines, cookers, electric clocks, record players and tape recorders are unusable in Bulgaria if not designed for 50Hz operation.
In rural areas the power supply can often weaken or fail, sometimes for a few minutes and sometimes for several hours. Power cuts are fairly frequent in some areas, especially during thunderstorms and heavy rain. If you live in an area with an unstable power supply it’s advisable to buy a power stabiliser for a computer or other vital equipment to prevent it being switched off when the power drops.
If you use a computer, it’s also worth fitting an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with a battery back-up, which allows you time (up to 20 minutes) to save your work and shut down your computer after a power failure.
If the power keeps tripping off when you attempt to use a number of high-powered appliances simultaneously, it probably means that the rating of your power supply is too low. If this is the case, you need to ask the electricity company to uprate the power supply to your property, although your standing charge will be higher.
The possible ratings are 25 amps and above 25 amps. If you have high-power appliances such as a washing machine, air-conditioning, water heater and electric heating in an average-size house, you will probably need a higher-rated supply.
SURVIVAL TIP One of the most important tasks after buying a property (if you haven’t done so before) is to check that the electrical system is safe. The cost of having a home rewired is much lower than in western European countries.
Another thing to check before moving into a home in Bulgaria is whether there are any light fittings. When moving house, some people remove not only bulbs, but bulb-holders, flexes and even ceiling roses! Depending on where you’ve moved from, you may need new plugs or a lot of adaptors.
Plug adaptors for imported lamps and other electrical apparatus may be difficult to find for some countries, so it’s worth bringing some with you, as well as extension cords and multi-plug extensions that can be fitted with Bulgarian plugs.
Bulgarian plugs have two round pins for the live and neutral connections, usually with a recessed contact at 90 degrees to the pins for the earth connection. Small, low-power (under around 5 amps) electrical appliances such as table lamps, small TVs and computers don’t require an earth. Plugs with an earth must be used for high-wattage appliances such as heaters, kettles, washing machines, refrigerators and cookers.
Electrical equipment rated at 110V AC (e.g. from the US or Canada) requires a converter or step-down transformer to convert it to 220/240V, although some electrical appliances are fitted with a 110/240V switch. Converters can be used for heating appliances, but transformers are required for motorised appliances. Add the wattage of the devices you intend to connect to a transformer and make sure that its power rating exceeds this sum.
Generally, small, high-wattage electrical appliances, such as kettles, toasters, heaters and irons need large transformers. Motors in large appliances, such as cookers, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers, need replacing or fitting with a large transformer.
In most cases it’s much easier to buy new appliances in Bulgaria. Remember that the dimensions of imported cookers, microwave ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers may be different from those in Bulgaria and so may not even fit into a Bulgarian kitchen.
You will need to apply to the local electricity distribution company to have your electricity connected and must sign a contract specifying the power supply to be installed. If it’s a new property you will need to prove you’re the owner by producing a copy of the title deeds or a copy of the lease if you’re renting. You must usually produce your passport or residence permit. If you plan to pay by direct debit from a bank or post office account, don’t forget to take along your account details.
If you’re moving into an old property, you must also tell the utility company the name of the person who previously paid the bills (which will be on the title deeds). The bills are then transferred into your name, usually for a nominal fee. In many cases your estate agent can do this for you (probably over the phone); if not, it helps to take along someone who speaks Bulgarian.
After electricity distribution was privatised, electricity tariffs went up substantially and are now on a par with those in the UK, although they’re expected to double in 2007. For an average-size house, you should expect to pay around €25 per month in summer and €75 per month in winter – more if you have electric heating.
Meters are usually installed in a box on an outside wall of a property. However, if your meter isn’t accessible from outside your property and the property isn’t permanently occupied, make sure you leave the keys with a neighbour or make arrangements to have your meter read. If your meter cannot be read, you will receive an estimate based on previous bills, although it must be read at least once a year.
You’re normally billed for your electricity each month. Bills can be paid by direct debit from a bank or in cash at the post office (Post Bank). It’s also possible to pay a fixed amount each month by standing order based on your estimated usage; at the end of the year you receive a bill for the amount owing or a rebate of the amount overpaid.
These methods of payment are preferable, particularly if you spend a lot of time away from your home or you’re a non-resident. If you want to set up a direct debit or standing order at your bank to pay utility bills, you will need to take a copy of the deeds to your house, your limited company registration papers and someone who speaks Bulgarian.
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