As summer arrives with unrelenting temperatures, many Spaniards turn on air conditioning without thinking about what it will mean for their electricity bill. But what if the real solution wasn't cooling the house, but preventing it from heating up in the first place? According to diezminutos.es, a climate control expert has the answer, and it's much simpler than it seems.

The question that changes everything

Roger Gasull, technical and production director at Mercadomotika, a company specialising in comprehensive installations for construction projects, approaches the problem in a radically different way. The key isn't asking how to cool a home, but how to prevent heat from entering it in the first place.

"The less heat that penetrates the house, the less energy will be needed to maintain a comfortable temperature", explains the specialist. A compelling logic that invites us to think of home architecture and design as the first allies against oppressive summer heat, not the thermostat turned down to minimum.

The three pillars of comfort without overspending

According to Gasull, three elements make a substantial difference in energy consumption:

• Good home orientation that takes advantage of natural shade.
• Efficient insulation that prevents energy loss.
• Solar protection systems such as awnings or blinds, which considerably reduce the need to rely on air conditioning.

"Ultimately, the best energy is the energy we don't have to consume", the expert sums up. It's a logic that sounds sensible but that many Spanish homes still haven't put into practice.

The magic range: 24 to 26 degrees

When air conditioning is necessary—something unavoidable during heat waves or tropical nights—Gasull offers a concrete recommendation: keep the thermostat between 24 and 26°C. This range offers a perfect balance between comfort and energy efficiency.

The surprise? Lowering the temperature to 20 or 21 degrees doesn't provide greater well-being, but it does significantly spike electricity consumption. "Seek stability, not cold", that's the mantra proposed by the specialist, betting on maintaining constant conditions during occupancy hours rather than letting the house overheat and then demanding a brutal effort from the equipment.

The ceiling fan: the great forgotten system

Gasull points out that one of the most undervalued systems in Spanish homes is the ceiling fan. Although it doesn't lower air temperature, it makes the body perceive a cooler environment thanks to air movement and evaporation on the skin. During moderate heat episodes, in well-insulated homes, it can be enough to maintain comfort without needing air conditioning.

The specialist advocates an integrated approach in which each system fulfils a function: air conditioning regulates temperature and humidity, the fan improves the thermal sensation, and natural ventilation takes advantage of outdoor conditions when they are favourable. "When these elements work together, we get more comfort with less energy", he assures.

From air conditioning to a culture of comfort

Looking ahead to the coming years, Gasull points out that summers will be increasingly hot, so air conditioning will remain important. However, he predicts a paradigm shift: "We're going to move from an air conditioning culture to a comfort culture". A bet on more efficient buildings, better prepared for heat and capable of offering well-being while consuming much less energy.

Does this mean we should forget about air conditioning? Absolutely not. What it suggests is that true luxury doesn't consist of feeling cold in summer, but of feeling good without constantly thinking about climate control or watching your electricity bill grow.