Are single-phase and three-phase electricity subscription tariffs different?

To supply your home with electricity in France, you can choose between two types of electrical current: single-phase (monophasé) and three-phase (triphasé). As the name suggests, single-phase current is delivered through one phase (the wire that carries the current). It is the most common type of supply in France. Three-phase current distributes electricity through three phases, enabling higher power delivery.

These supply types directly impact the power level (kVA) you subscribe to — and your subscribed power determines your fixed subscription cost. So what do you need to understand about single-phase and three-phase electricity subscription tariffs? ENGIE provides clear guidance in this article.

How does choosing single-phase or three-phase influence your subscription tariff?

As you may have noticed, an electricity bill in France is made up of a variable part (based on your kWh consumption) and a fixed part: the subscription. This fixed part mainly depends on the power (kVA) you have subscribed to. And this power level partly determines whether you need single-phase or three-phase supply.

In practice, when you subscribe to a power level between 3 kVA and 12 kVA, a single-phase meter is generally recommended. Three-phase supply becomes necessary when the subscribed power exceeds 12 kVA, up to 36 kVA, which is the maximum power available for residential customers in France.

Although three-phase is technically available from 12 kVA, it is usually reserved for homes equipped with high-energy-consuming appliances: properties heated by a heat pump, homes with electric radiators in spaces larger than 120 m², houses with a heated swimming pool, workshops, or professional equipment.

The choice may also be influenced by the distance between the meter and the house, which is sometimes the case in rural or isolated areas. In addition, certain appliances (including some heat pumps) strictly require a three-phase supply.

To make the right decision, it is advisable to consult a qualified electrician. They can carry out an assessment of your electricity needs and guide you toward the most suitable solution.

At the same power level, is a three-phase subscription more expensive than a single-phase subscription?

In short: no.

To calculate your subscription tariff, your energy supplier considers the subscribed power (kVA), not the type of meter. At the same power level (for example, 12 kVA), the subscription price is identical whether you are supplied in single-phase or three-phase.

However, because three-phase installations typically correspond to higher power levels than single-phase, three-phase subscriptions may appear more expensive in practice.

It is also important to consider that switching from a single-phase installation to a three-phase installation involves costs (meter replacement, electrical installation upgrades, and fees charged by ENEDIS). According to the ENEDIS service catalogue, upgrading from single-phase to three-phase is billed at €179.95 incl. VAT.

Since most residential installations in France are single-phase, it is important to carefully evaluate whether switching to three-phase at the same power level is truly necessary. Your decision will depend on future projects, such as extending your home or installing a heat pump.

How is the subscription price determined?

The subscription price is freely set by your electricity supplier. Each supplier defines its own pricing grid, and no regulated tariff applies to the subscription portion of your bill.

However, once your contract is signed, the subscription price remains fixed throughout the duration of the contract. It is determined at the time of subscription according to your chosen power level (single-phase or three-phase) and your tariff option.

With the Heures Pleines / Heures Creuses (HP/HC) option, a common French time-of-use tariff, you benefit from a lower kWh price during 8 off-peak hours per day. In exchange, the supplier applies a slightly higher price during peak hours (16 hours per day) and a slightly higher subscription fee compared to the Base tariff option.

What are the prices for a single-phase and a three-phase subscription?

Since prices are set by each supplier, it is not possible to provide one single price. However, we can present indicative subscription prices by power level (and therefore by single-phase or three-phase subscription).

*Tarif Bleu: the regulated electricity sales tariff applicable as of 1 February 2024 in France.

Explore the French version of this article