With the arrival of cold weather after days of intense rain, many Portuguese homes are once again turning to air conditioning to heat the house. But, as DECO PROteste warns, this comfort comes at a cost that can quickly skyrocket your electricity bill if the equipment is not used efficiently.
According to the consumer protection organization, saving energy starts before you even turn on the device, with choices and habits that have a direct impact on your bill. The organization has put together eight practical recommendations that can help reduce significant expenses during the winter months.
Insulation and installation make a difference
According to DECO PROteste, improving the thermal insulation of the home is one of the most effective steps to reduce the effort of air conditioning. The organization explains that poorly sealed doors and windows allow heat to escape, forcing the equipment to work longer and consume more energy. The recommendation also includes care when installing the outdoor unit, which should be located in a shaded and well-ventilated area to avoid overheating.
The same source also highlights the importance of regular maintenance: clean filters allow the appliance to work efficiently, avoiding unnecessary consumption. According to the organization, two cleanings per year, in early spring and autumn, are sufficient to preserve performance.
Small habits, big differences
Another piece of advice is to use smart devices that allow you to turn the air conditioning on and off remotely, preventing it from running for hours at a time unnecessarily. DECO adds that, on hotter days, it is preferable to turn on the air conditioning early, before the house heats up excessively, as very high temperatures increase consumption when trying to regain comfort.
The organization also reminds us that it is not worth air conditioning rooms that are empty. For those with centralized or ducted systems, the ideal is to close doors and direct the air flow only to the areas in use.
Enjoy the sun in winter and shade in summer
According to the same source, managing natural light is another decisive factor. In summer, keeping blinds and shutters closed during the hottest hours helps keep the house cool. In winter, letting the sun in during the day reduces the need to use the air conditioning for several hours. The logic is simple: the smaller the thermal fluctuation inside the house, the less effort the equipment requires.
Humidity also weighs on the bill
DECO Proteste explains that it is often not the temperature that causes discomfort, but excessive humidity. In these cases, using the dehumidification mode may be enough to make the environment more comfortable and avoid high consumption. The entity highlights that this function is more energy-efficient than the heating mode.
How to calculate the true cost of air conditioning
The organization also recalls that air conditioning capacity is usually presented in kilowatts, but may be expressed in BTU/h. According to the publication, the conversion is simple and allows the consumer to better understand consumption. To calculate how much you use per day, simply multiply the power in watts by the number of hours of use and divide the result by 1000 to obtain the value in kWh.
As an example: a 1 kW device used five hours a day represents a daily consumption of 5 kWh, equivalent to around 1 euro assuming an average cost of 0.20 euros per kWh.
Even though each tip may seem small in isolation, the cumulative impact can be significant. For those who spend several weeks heating their home, the difference between using the air conditioning efficiently or carelessly can translate into tens of euros per month.
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