SNAP 2026 — Summer Off-Peak Grid Tariff: 20% Cheaper Electricity at Midday (April–September)

SNAP is a discounted grid tariff that has applied in Austria since 1 April 2026. Its goal is to incentivise households to consume electricity precisely when photovoltaic systems feed the most solar energy into the grid — namely at midday.

Austria's photovoltaic expansion is creating an electricity surplus at midday. At the same time, grid load rises in the evening when the sun is no longer shining. SNAP creates a financial incentive to use this surplus directly rather than feeding it into the grid and drawing it back later.

Key Facts

• Period: 1 April to 30 September (each year)
• Time window: Daily 10:00–16:00
• Discount: 20% off the grid usage charge (not off the total electricity price!)
• Saving: 1.40–1.76 ct/kWh depending on region
• Who benefits: Over 99% of all Austrian households (grid level 7)

Yes, a Smart Meter is mandatory. Without an intelligent electricity meter, the grid operator cannot record when you consume electricity.

1. Do You Have a Smart Meter?

By end of 2024, 95% of all Austrian households should have been fitted with a Smart Meter. Check your meter cabinet:

• Digital display (instead of mechanical disc) → Smart Meter
• Manufacturer label (e.g. Landis+Gyr, Siemens, Kamstrup) → Smart Meter

If you don't have one yet: contact your grid operator (Wiener Netze, Netz OÖ, etc.).

2. Activate the 15-Minute Metering Opt-In

The Smart Meter alone is not enough — you must activate quarter-hour value transmission (opt-in). Here's how:

1. 1Visit your grid operator's Smart Meter portal (Wiener Netze: smartmeter-web.wienernetze.at, Netz NÖ: smartmeterportal.netz-noe.at, Netz OÖ: netzooe.at/smartmeter)
2. 2Log in (metering point number + contract number)
3. 3Activate '15-minute metering' or 'opt-in quarter-hour values'
4. 4Wait for confirmation (takes 1–3 business days)

Important: Some grid operators switch customers automatically; others require an active opt-in. If in doubt, call and ask.

The saving depends on how much electricity you consume between 10:00 and 16:00.

Example 1: Average Household (3,500 kWh/year)

Without SNAP optimisation:

• Annual consumption: 3,500 kWh
• Share between 10–16h: approx. 20% (700 kWh)
• Grid fee saving: 700 kWh × 1.5 ct/kWh × 20% = €10.50/year

With SNAP optimisation (washing machine, dishwasher, dryer at midday):

• Share between 10–16h: approx. 35% (1,225 kWh)
• Saving: 1,225 kWh × 1.5 ct/kWh × 20% = €18.38/year

Example 2: Household with Electric Vehicle

SNAP charging window: 50% of charging at midday (April–September)

• EV annual consumption: 2,850 kWh (15,000 km/year, 19 kWh/100 km)
• 50% at midday: 1,425 kWh
• Only in 6 months (April–Sept): 1,425 kWh × 50% = 712 kWh
• Saving: 712 kWh × 1.5 ct/kWh × 20% = €10.68/year
• Plus household: €18.38 + €10.68 = €29.06/year total saving

Example 3: Heat Pump in Summer Mode (Hot Water)

Hot water preparation at midday:

• Heat pump hot water consumption (summer): approx. 1,500 kWh/year
• 80% at midday (SNAP-optimised): 1,200 kWh
• Only in 6 months: 1,200 kWh × 50% = 600 kWh
• Saving: 600 kWh × 1.5 ct/kWh × 20% = €9.00/year

Note: These amounts refer only to the grid fee saving. The electricity price itself (energy price) does not change with SNAP.

1. Run Power-Hungry Appliances at Midday

Washing machine & dryer:

• Use the timer: start at 10:00 or 12:00
• Saving per wash (60°C, 2 kWh): 0.6 ct
• 200 wash cycles/year → €1.20

Dishwasher:

• ECO programme at midday (1.5 kWh per cycle)
• 250 cycles/year → €1.13

Pool pump:

• Shift running time to 10–16h
• 6 hours/day × 0.8 kW = 4.8 kWh daily
• April–Sept (180 days) → 864 kWh × 1.5 ct × 20% = €12.96

2. Optimise EV Charging

Wallbox timer:

• Charge your EV between 10:00 and 16:00 (if at home)
• Apps like aWATTar, Tibber or Easee control charging automatically

Note: SNAP only applies at home (your grid connection). Public charging stations do not benefit.

3. Smart Heat Pump Control

Hot water preparation:

• Modern heat pumps have timer functions
• Programme hot water charging for 10–16h
• Buffer tank retains heat until evening

Air conditioning (summer):

• Pre-cool at midday (10–14h)
• House cools down, air conditioning runs less in the evening

SNAP only reduces grid fees (1.40–1.76 ct/kWh). Dynamic tariffs (aWATTar, Tibber) vary the entire electricity price according to the exchange price — often a 5–15 ct/kWh difference between day and night.

Can You Combine Them?

Yes! SNAP and a dynamic tariff can be combined:

• Dynamic tariff: Lowers energy price during cheap exchange hours
• SNAP: Lowers grid fees at midday (10–16h)

Example: aWATTar HOURLY + SNAP

• Exchange electricity at midday (April–Sept): 8–12 ct/kWh
• SNAP grid fee reduction: -1.5 ct/kWh
• Effective midday electricity price: 6.5–10.5 ct/kWh

Recommendation: If you already have (or plan to get) a dynamic tariff, SNAP is an additional bonus. Without a dynamic tariff, SNAP is still worthwhile — but the saving remains modest (€10–30/year).

Honest assessment: For average households, SNAP is a nice extra but not a game-changer.

• €10–15/year without optimisation
• €20–50/year with targeted use (timer, EV, heat pump)

When Does SNAP Really Pay Off?

• EV: Home charging possible (wallbox) → €10–20 saving
• Heat pump: Hot water preparation at midday → €10–15 saving
• Pool pump/air conditioning: High summer consumption → €10–20 saving
• Commercial premises: Production times at midday (bakery, workshop) → €50–200 saving

Effort: 5 minutes opt-in in the Smart Meter portal. Automatic thereafter.

Conclusion: Activate SNAP — it costs nothing, saves at least a few euros, and the more Austrians use surplus electricity at midday, the more stable our electricity grid becomes.

Step 1: Check Your Smart Meter

• Open your meter cabinet
• Digital display? → You have a Smart Meter
• No Smart Meter? → Call your grid operator (free replacement)

Step 2: Activate the Opt-In

1. 1Go to your grid operator's Smart Meter portal
2. 2Log in with your metering point number + contract number
3. 3Activate 15-minute metering (or opt-in quarter-hour values)
4. 4Confirm

Duration: 1–3 business days

Step 3: Control Your Appliances (Optional)

• Timers for washing machine, dishwasher, dryer (start 10–14h)
• Wallbox timer for EV (10–16h)
• Heat pump: programme hot water preparation for midday

Done! From now on, you automatically benefit from SNAP — no further steps needed.

Does SNAP Also Apply in Winter?

No. SNAP only applies from 1 April to 30 September. In winter (October–March) there is no SNAP reduction. Reason: photovoltaic surplus exists mainly in the summer months. In winter, solar irradiation is insufficient to generate large surpluses.

Do I Need to Switch Electricity Supplier?

No. SNAP is billed by the grid operator, not the electricity supplier. You can stay with your current supplier (Verbund, EVN, Wien Energie, etc.). Important: only the opt-in with the grid operator is needed.

Does SNAP Also Apply to PV System Owners?

Yes! Even if you have a PV system, you benefit from SNAP — but only for grid consumption. Tip: run large consumers (heat pump, pool pump) at midday — then you benefit doubly: 1. Free PV self-consumption (no grid draw), 2. If PV is insufficient: SNAP-reduced grid fee.

What Happens During a Power Outage at Midday?

The SNAP discount is not lost. The Smart Meter stores consumption data locally. After the connection is restored, the data is transmitted and SNAP is correctly calculated.

Can I Activate SNAP Retroactively?

Yes, but: activating the 15-minute metering (opt-in) takes 1–3 business days. SNAP applies automatically from activation. Recommendation: activate opt-in now (April 2026) to benefit from the entire SNAP season (until 30 September).

How Do I Recognise SNAP on My Electricity Bill?

The grid fee is automatically shown as reduced in your annual statement. If not visible: Smart Meter portal → consumption overview → display quarter-hour values.

• SNAP — Summer Off-Peak Tariff (Arbeiterkammer Upper Austria).html)
• SNAP explained (aWATTar blog)
• SNAP overview (Smart Meter portal Austria)
• Smart Meter FAQ (E-Control)
• Summer grid tariff (Wiener Netze)