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Keep your home cool and your energy bills under control
Smart air conditioning habits and advice from Go Solar can help keep your home comfortable while reducing electricity costs
As temperatures begin to climb across Spain and summer approaches, many homeowners are already thinking about how to keep their properties comfortable without seeing a nasty surprise on their electricity bill. Air conditioning is often essential during the hottest months, particularly during the increasingly frequent periods of extreme heat, but using it inefficiently can quickly push up energy costs.Go Solar, which provides solar energy solutions, energy advice and installations across Murcia and Almería, says that combining smart cooling habits with energy-efficient technology can make a significant difference to household spending.
Simple ways to cut air conditioning costs
One of the biggest mistakes people make is setting their air conditioning far colder than necessary. Experts generally recommend keeping indoor temperatures between 24°C and 26°C, which strikes a balance between comfort and efficiency.
While lowering the thermostat to 23°C may feel cooler, energy consumption can rise by as much as 8% for every degree below 25°C. Maintaining a steady temperature also reduces the strain on the unit and helps it run more efficiently.
Another useful feature that many homeowners overlook is ECO or Economy Mode. This setting adjusts the operation of the compressor and fan to reduce energy consumption while still maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. Although rooms may take slightly longer to cool, the savings on electricity can be worthwhile over the course of a long summer.
Experts also advise avoiding the temptation to switch the system on and off repeatedly throughout the day. Instead, gradual cooling and maintaining a stable temperature often uses less energy than forcing the unit to work hard to cool down a very hot room.
Smart controls are also becoming increasingly popular. According to industry figures, 39% of Spaniards now monitor their energy consumption remotely using mobile apps or voice assistants. Many modern climate control systems allow homeowners to schedule operating times, adjust temperatures remotely and avoid wasting energy when nobody is at home.
Maintenance matters
Regular maintenance is one of the easiest ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
"A well-maintained system not only works better but also consumes less energy, extending its lifespan," experts point out.
Simple tasks such as cleaning or replacing filters, checking for blockages and arranging periodic servicing can help an air conditioning unit perform at its best. Dirty filters force systems to work harder, increasing electricity use and wear on components.
Make the most of natural cooling
Air conditioning works most efficiently when combined with a few simple habits around the home.
Opening windows during the coolest parts of the day, particularly early in the morning and later in the evening, can help refresh indoor air naturally. During the hottest hours, keeping curtains, shutters and blinds closed helps prevent heat from entering the property in the first place.
Another simple way to reduce air conditioning costs is to take advantage of cooler periods to ventilate the home naturally before switching on the system. Using timers can also help ensure units only run when needed, preventing unnecessary energy use and helping to save money on electricity bills.
Fans can also help circulate cool air more effectively, meaning the thermostat does not need to be set as low.
Home insulation is another important factor. Even the most efficient air conditioning system will struggle if cool air is escaping through poorly sealed windows and doors.
Common mistakes that increase electricity bills include:
- Leaving doors or windows open while the air conditioning is running
- Setting unnecessarily low temperatures
- Running the system in empty rooms
- Forgetting to clean filters and carry out maintenance
- Operating the unit during peak heat without using blinds or curtains
According to industry estimates, prolonged use during periods of extreme heat can add around €18 per month to the electricity bill of an average household, making efficient use more important than ever.
Looking beyond air conditioning
For homeowners thinking about longer-term savings, Go Solar offers advice and installation services for solar energy systems, helping households generate their own electricity and reduce dependence on the grid.
By generating electricity from solar panels during the sunniest hours of the day, homeowners can offset some of the energy used by air conditioning systems during summer, helping to reduce overall energy costs while maintaining comfort indoors.
The company provides energy consultations, solar panel installation, project financing advice, grant guidance, legalisation services and ongoing maintenance support.
With solar panels typically lasting around 25 years, the company says many standard grid-connected domestic installations can recover their initial investment within two to four years, depending on the system and property.
With cooling costs becoming an increasing concern for many households, a combination of sensible air conditioning habits, good home insulation and renewable energy solutions can help keep both temperatures and electricity bills under control.
For more information, Go Solar can be contacted on 0034 654 59 62 47 or by email at info@infogosolar.com.
