Identifying these habits can make a significant difference for those looking to save on air conditioning during the summer without sacrificing comfort. Follow every point in this article to save yourself more than just a few pennies.

1. Your first savings start before you turn on the air conditioning

Preventing heat from entering your house is the cheapest way to keep your home cool. To achieve efficient climate control in summer, it is vital to understand the role of your facades and their elements.

• Awnings and curtains: The use of protective elements is the most powerful preventative measure. A properly installed awning can reduce the facade temperature by up to 6 degrees. It is essential to roll them out before the sun hits them to prevent the heat from being absorbed. For their part, thermal curtains act as a barrier that blocks up to 30% of the heat coming from outside, creating an insulating air chamber that also improves acoustic comfort.
• Ventilation and heat management: Taking advantage of cross ventilation during the coolest hours, such as early morning or late evening, allows you to refresh and cool the air inside your home for free.
• Insulation during the day: Insulation is the cornerstone of efficiency. Nearly 30% of energy losses occur through poorly sealed windows and enclosures. Installing weatherstripping on door and window joints prevents hot air infiltration, improving the performance of any climate control system. During the day, it is advisable to keep blinds lowered and windows closed.
• Light colours on the facade: Painting facades or roofs in light tones helps reflect sunlight, reducing the heating of the building.

Once you have taken the first steps to insulate your house against the heat, it is time to ask yourself: 'What temperature should I set the AC to?'

2. What temperature to set to save money without being hot

One of the most widespread myths is thinking that turning the thermostat down to the minimum will cool the house faster. In reality, all you will achieve is making the compressor work non-stop, sending your energy expenditure soaring.

To save money with air conditioning in summer, the Institute for the Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE) recommends maintaining a temperature of 26°C. A range of between 24°C and 26°C is sufficient to guarantee thermal comfort in most homes.

Did you know that for every degree we lower the thermostat, energy consumption increases by approximately 8%? Furthermore, if the difference with the outside temperature exceeds 12 degrees, we run the risk of suffering a thermal shock, which is harmful to our health.

Although it may seem counterintuitive, using a fan at the same time as the air conditioning can help you save on your bill.

3. Air conditioning and a fan: the most helpful combination

When it comes to saving money, the winning strategy is not about choosing between one or the other, but using them together. A fan does not cool the air, but the movement of the air causes the wind chill to drop by 3 to 5 degrees.

When used alongside the air conditioning, the fan helps distribute the cold air much more evenly throughout the room. This allows you to raise the air conditioning thermostat by about 2 or 3°C (for example, from 23°C to 26°C) while maintaining the same sensation of coolness.

With this simple gesture, you can generate savings of between 20% and 30% on the total electricity consumption of your cooling system. But do you know how much this will ultimately cost you by the end of the summer?

4. How much it costs to use air conditioning in summer

To manage your family budget well, you need to know how much you will pay for air conditioning in real terms. The expense will depend on both the power capacity of the unit and its efficiency. To help you, we have made a small estimate taking into account the power capacity data from some manufacturers and the current price of the Conecta Luz tariff (€0.1090/kWh in June 2026):

The cost in our estimate depends on other factors too, such as the insulation of the home and the technology of the appliances themselves. As we can see, substituting the use of air conditioning with a fan during times of moderate heat can mean huge savings for our pockets. But what happens if I have a time-of-use tariff?

5. How to save if you have a time-of-use tariff

To save electricity in summer with a time-of-use tariff, you must take as much advantage as possible of off-peak hours, when the price per kWh is significantly lower. For example, with the Conecta 3 Periodos tariff, these hours are usually between 00:00 and 08:00, and all day at weekends.

The key is to cool the house to a slightly lower temperature during these time bands and use programming functions so that the unit works at a minimum during peak hours, when electricity is most expensive.

By avoiding intensive use of the air conditioning during the middle of the day, you will manage to keep your bill amount stable. Although if you prefer to avoid surprises, a stable-price tariff might be more appealing.

6. When a fixed tariff for climate control suits you best

For many families, time-of-use pricing is the best option. However, a fixed tariff, like the Luz Fija 24h Online tariff, offers a stable price 24 hours a day, providing predictability and peace of mind. This model is particularly recommended in the following scenarios:

• Remote work: If you spend the central hours of the day at home, when the need to turn on the air conditioning is greatest.
• Families with children or older people: They are the groups most sensitive to the heat. They need to maintain a stable and safe temperature throughout the day.
• Homes with pets: To ensure their well-being without having to keep an eye on market price changes.
• Second homes with irregular use: Especially if you cannot predict when your energy expenditure will be highest.

7. Air conditioning maintenance: invisible savings

Maintenance is your best ally in avoiding excess costs. A dirty unit tends to be more inefficient. When dust clogs the system, the unit has to work much harder to cool your home, sending electricity consumption soaring.

It is usually advised to clean the filters at least twice a year: specifically at the beginning and end of the season. Dirty filters can increase consumption by up to 20%.

You should also check the outdoor unit to ensure there are no obstructions (leaves, dirt) preventing heat expulsion.

If you notice strange noises, dripping, or that the unit is not cooling as it should, it could be a gas leak. In this case, an expert inspection is best. Furthermore, refrigerant gas can only be handled by authorised technicians.

Another way to make your AC unit work less is to be careful about which appliances we use during the day.

8. Appliances that also heat up the house

You might not have thought about it, but some of your appliances could be working against your air conditioning unit:

• Oven and ceramic hob: Simply put, they generate high temperatures. It is recommended to avoid using them during the hottest hours or replace them with a microwave or pressure cooker, which are more efficient and emit less residual heat.
• Tumble dryer: During the summer, it is easier to do without it and dry clothes in the sun, taking advantage of the natural heat.
• Lighting: Replace classic incandescent or halogen bulbs with LEDs to reduce the heat they emit and electricity consumption.
• Standby: Devices like TVs or games consoles in standby mode emit unnecessary heat and add euros to your annual bill.

9. What to do during a heatwave to spend less

We have prepared a quick checklist to protect your pocket and keep your home cool when the heat becomes extreme:

• Total darkness: Lower blinds and close curtains, especially if the sun hits your facade directly.
• ECO mode: Activate this function on your air conditioning to optimise its consumption.
• The water trick: Place bowls of cold water or ice in front of fans to increase the feeling of coolness.
• Disconnect: Turn off all electronic devices you are not using to reduce heat emissions.
• Lukewarm showers: Excessively cold water can cause the body to generate heat to compensate. Lukewarm water is more effective for cooling down in the long term.

10. So, how do you save on climate control this summer?

In short, to achieve real savings, you can take simple and inexpensive measures to prevent the heat; such as installing awnings, blinds, and investing in insulation. Adjusting the thermostat to 26°C, supporting the air conditioning with fans, and keeping the filters clean are the three pillars that will drastically reduce your monthly bill.

Another way to save when extreme heat arrives is to review your electricity tariff to ensure it is suited to your consumption habits. Do you want to know which specific tariff will allow you to save the most based on your consumption? Check out our electricity solutions catalogue and find the option that best suits your day-to-day life.