As summer takes over Spain, air conditioning has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity. After a blistering heat wave pushed temperatures as high as 46ºC, Spaniards turned to their AC units in record numbers. Although temperatures have dipped slightly in some areas, the sweltering heat isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
With energy bills on the rise and temperatures expected to stay high for months, understanding how to use air conditioning wisely can save you serious money—and discomfort. Let’s dive into what the experts say about making the most of your air conditioning system without wasting energy or cash.
Table of Contents
What the Experts Are Saying About Smart AC Usage
An industry professional recently took to social media to share eye-opening insights about how we use air conditioning—and how we might be doing it wrong. Here are five essential tips he shared to help you stay cool more efficiently this summer.
1. Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Many people assume that a larger air conditioner will cool a room faster and better. While it’s true that more powerful units cool quickly, the expert warns that oversizing your AC for the space it’s in can lead to unnecessary energy consumption.
Tip: Choose a unit that matches the size of your room. Too much power for a small space wastes energy and could increase your bill unnecessarily.
2. Setting the Temperature Lower Won’t Cool Your Room Faster
One of the most common myths is that setting your air conditioner to a much lower temperature—say 18ºC instead of 24ºC—will cool your room more quickly. According to the expert, this simply isn’t true.
Modern air conditioning units are built to reach the desired temperature efficiently, regardless of the setting. Cranking it to the lowest number doesn’t speed up the process, but it will increase energy use once the room is cool.
3. Air Conditioners Don’t Remove Smells—They Spread Them
Contrary to popular belief, air conditioning doesn’t eliminate odors. In fact, it can make bad smells worse by circulating them throughout the space.
Solution: If odors are a concern, look for air conditioners that include built-in air purifiers or activated carbon filters to improve indoor air quality.
4. Energy Consumption Varies With the Thermic Difference
Will your AC use the same amount of electricity whether you set it to 22ºC or 25ºC? The answer is no. The energy your unit consumes depends largely on the difference between the outdoor and indoor temperatures.
The greater the gap, the more energy it will need to maintain your desired indoor climate. Even a difference of 2–3 degrees can significantly impact your energy bill over time.
5. Should You Turn It Off or Let It Run?
This is a hot topic—no pun intended. Many people wonder whether it’s better to turn the AC off when they leave the room or let it run continuously.
The expert recommends maintaining a steady temperature when you plan to use the room for a while. Turning the unit on and off repeatedly can actually cause it to consume more energy during startup and puts extra wear on the system.
Best practice: Set a moderate temperature and let the unit run consistently when needed. Avoid extreme temperature swings and excessive switching.
Trump’s Tax Plan Cuts Clean Energy Incentives, Putting Billions in Arizona Investment at Risk
AugWind Energy to Deploy First Commercial-Scale AirBattery in Germany
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Air Conditioning Myths Raise Your Bill
Now that you’ve got the facts straight from the experts, you’re ready to make smarter decisions about using air conditioning this summer. These five tips can help you stay cool during the scorching Spanish heat without driving up your electricity costs.