As we come into autumn and winter in Spain, we tend to be at home more and energy-saving becomes more and more necessary. The shift to a new cleaner, more sustainable and democratic energy model can start in every household and the best way to achieve reduced energy consumption is by applying energy-saving measures at different levels. From optimising the use of the refrigerator to an energy audit, Here are some tips to help you reduce your consumption throughout the year.
A basic way to save would be to choose wisely when using energy equipment in the home. You don’t have to make any investments for this as it involves general measures to reduce consumption and improve performance, relating to appliances, heating, kitchen equipment or water management.
When it comes to the fridge you can optimize the number of times it is opened, ensure to clean the back periodically, and that it is at least 5 centimeters away from the wall to facilitate ventilation. You can adjust the thermostat to prevent it from cooling more than necessary, the freezer should be adjusted to -18 degrees and the fridge to 6 degrees.
As for air conditioning systems, if it is a gas boiler, the radiators should be purged periodically to avoid air in the installation. Also, adjust the thermostat between 18 and 21 degrees to have optimum comfort conditions. If there are radiators or electric stoves the thermostat temperature should be regulated between 18 and 21 degrees and timers can be added to the radiators to ensure that they only work as long as necessary, and put them under the windows or in the coldest walls of the home (those that are in contact with the outside).
With the water system, it is recommended to collect the cold water that comes out of the shower before it gets hot, and using it for washing. If you don’t have a double flush cistern in the sink, place a bottle inside the cistern to reduce the consumption of water in each use and, of course, reduce the time of use in the shower.
Install material to reduce energy demand
“Another way to save at home is to install equipment that reduces the energy demand necessary to maintain thermal comfort at home,” states Raquel Rodriguez (Specialist Coordinator on Energy Rights of the Energy Advice Points of Barcelona).
According to the specialist, examples include timers for electric water heaters and bases with switches to turn off all unused equipment. You can also use energy-saving bulbs or LEDs that have lower electrical power than conventional bulbs, strips for windows and doors to reduce air filtering in.
The energy audit
In some cases it is possible to opt for an energy audit. It is advisable to carry this out when very high energy consumption is detected in the bills, and this can’t be justified by talking to the other people who may live with you.
This would be a visit to the house to analyse all the energy-consuming equipment there is and to be able to determine the usage of each, in order to understand whether the consumption that occurs is real or whether there are any associated problems.
Sustainable attitudes: The need to save energy
We must be aware that all energy usage has an associated economic and environmental cost. “It is necessary to involve all the people who live in the home, whether they are old or small, to be able to work together towards the same goal,” says Rodriguez.
Consequently, implementing measures to save energy will be easy, effective and you can see the reduction of energy expenditure as the months go by. It is important to contract the electrical supply for your home in Spain with a marketer that ensures that the energy is of renewable origin.
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