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8 tips to reduce electricity bills during the Spanish summer
Energy costs in Spain rise exponentially with the temperatures in summer
Spain is one of the top destinations to spend the summer holidays, but unfortunately summer in Spain and more expensive energy bills usually go hand in hand as we rely more on air conditioning and fans to keep us comfortable, and even household appliances like fridges have to work harder.
With this in mind, the experts have come up with their top tips for reducing electricity charges this summer season.
1. Make the most of natural light
The days have become much longer so it’s the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the hours of natural sunlight by leaving the blinds and curtains open as much as possible in the evening, but closing them during the day so the house doesn’t heat up too much. It’s also recommended to switch from incandescent bulbs to LED ones.
2. Regulate the air conditioning
Go easy on the air con because these appliances generally use more than 90% of the energy of a fan, somewhere between 0.990 kWh and 3,000 kWh.
According to the money-saving experts, the ideal temperature for a home is between 24°C and 26°C, bearing in mind that for each degree the temperature drops, energy expenditure increases by 8%.
3. Save with your devices
With more of us staying indoors to escape the scalding temperatures in the summer months, devices such as computers naturally get more of a workout. The best advice is not to leave gadgets on standby when they’re not in use as they continue to consume electricity.
4. Install Solar Panels
Solar panels in the home can reduce bills by an incredible 800 euros per year and are very versatile, removing the need of traditional systems such as boilers, which can account for 26% of the energy consumption of a home.
5. Take advantage of cheap energy hours
Electricity is cheaper at certain times of the day, so save the heavy lifting like washing clothes and running the dishwasher for these hours:
- Off-peak (cheapest): between midnight an 8am at the weekend
- Flat (average price): between 8am and 10am and from 10pm to midnight
- Peak (most expensive): between 10am and 2pm and from 6pm to 10pm.
6. Use smart plugs and appliances
These gadgets save money by allowing you to programme when they come on and switch off, giving the option of using cheaper energy hours. It’s also possible to set timers on most air conditioning units.
7. Shop around for electricity suppliers
As with everything, it’s always best to shop around and comparing deals with the various electricity companies can end up saving you a small fortune.
8. Reduce power
Our home appliances can often end up using more energy than they need to run, which naturally hikes up bills. You can easily check how much energy you are consuming on your supplier’s website to see where cut-backs can be made.
Image: Pixabay
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