How to use your home appliances efficiently according to the season

We will review which appliances take centre stage in each season, how to get the most out of them, what energy-saving measures you can apply to spend less at the end of the month, and thus look after your wallet, as well as the environment, with responsible and sustainable use.

Winter: heating, radiators, tumble dryers and comfort

In the winter season, electricity consumption soars due to the need for heating, heating systems, and prolonged use of lighting. Many homes use electric radiators, heat pumps, or thermal emitters to maintain a comfortable temperature in each space.

As we mentioned, the most-used appliances and systems are electric radiators, heat pumps, and heaters. Lighting also plays a key role, as shorter days mean more hours of artificial light. The tumble dryer is another; as the uncertainty of rain, or the lack of sun and high humidity, makes drying clothes outdoors difficult, it's often used more frequently than in other seasons.

Here are some tips for using your equipment efficiently during the winter:

• Use programmable thermostats to avoid overheating and unnecessary consumption when no one is at home.
• Maintain the temperature between 19 and 21 °C in the main living areas of the house, and reduce it in bedrooms.
• Swap your conventional light bulbs for low-energy LED bulbs.
• Make the most of daylight hours to naturally ventilate and heat the inside of your home, and improve window and door insulation to retain heat.
• When washing clothes, spin them well before drying, and use low-temperature programmes.

You also need to consider the maintenance of your electrical equipment, as well as the property itself. We therefore recommend checking your home's insulation, cleaning the filters on heat pumps and air conditioners with a heating function, periodically checking electric radiators to repair or prevent faults, keeping the tumble dryer free of lint to avoid overheating, and emptying its water tank.

Spring: vacuum cleaners, fans, and maintenance

During spring, the temperature is less intense and begins to rise gradually. This reduces the use of heating or air conditioning and increases the use of fans. Prioritise low-energy models and combine them with natural ventilation by opening windows during cooler hours.

It's also considered a key season for maintaining the appliances that will be used more in summer, and for spring cleaning, which makes the vacuum cleaner one of the most-used appliances. We recommend planning your vacuuming, concentrating the cleaning into a single session to reduce the number of times you start the appliance.

The washing machine and tumble dryer remain important, as humidity persists in some regions. It's ideal to take advantage of sunny days to dry clothes outdoors and save on your electricity bill. The fridge starts to work harder as the outside temperature rises. The same goes for air conditioning, although its use is still moderate in this season.

How to get your equipment and home ready for spring Clean the air conditioning filters and check the refrigerant gas, dust the fn blades to improve performance, and check the fridge seals to make sure they close properly.

Summer: fridge, air conditioning... and a rise in consumption

This is the season with the highest energy demand, especially due to the use of air conditioning and fans. Air conditioning is, without a doubt, one of the appliances that can most increase your electricity bill if not used efficiently and with a sustainable mindset.

In summer, the fridge and freezer also run at full capacity. They are put under greater strain, as high temperatures force the appliance to work harder to keep food fresh. Meanwhile, the microwave and blender are used more for preparing quick, cold meals.

Therefore, we suggest you keep maintenance in mind before and during summer: clean the air conditioning filters every two weeks; if your freezer accumulates frost, unplug it, remove the ice, and plug it back in. Check that the fridge is away from heat sources and that its door seals are closing correctly. Also, vacuum the back of the unit to remove dust that settles on the condenser coils.

And to save money and be an efficient user:

• Set the air conditioning to a temperature between 24 and 26 °C. This is high enough for comfort without excessive consumption. Alternatively, use 'Eco' mode.
• Use ceiling and standing fans to distribute the cold air more efficiently, and close doors and windows when the AC is running.
• Avoid opening the fridge constantly, do not put hot food inside, and defrost it regularly to improve its efficiency.

Autumn: ovens, washing machines and preparing for the cold

The transition to winter begins with dropping temperatures. Autumn is ideal for checking heating systems and optimising the use of appliances that are typically used more in the cold season, like the oven. In addition, the tumble dryer comes back into play and becomes important with the increase in rain and the inability to dry clothes outdoors.

At this time of year, electric heaters and radiators start to be used on cold nights. The oven is used more constantly with the return to more elaborate meals, as is the dishwasher. This makes it a good time to check its efficiency, as its workload will be more intensive in winter.

To get the most out of them in autumn: program the oven to cook several dishes at once to make the most of the heat, and turn it off a few minutes before the end of the cooking time to use the residual heat.

Use the dishwasher on 'Eco' mode and with a full load, fill the washing machine to the maximum allowed capacity, and use cold water programmes whenever possible. Also, insulate windows and doors to conserve heat and reduce the use of heating.

It is important that your equipment is in good condition and that you carry out the indicated maintenance, so that it operates efficiently and saves you money. We suggest bleeding the radiators and checking the thermostats, cleaning the oven to prevent grease build-up, as well as checking the washing machine filter and using anti-limescale products (descaler).

The efficient use and care of your appliances and climate control equipment can be complemented by the best tariffs Endesa offers in its electricity and gas catalogue, among which you can find one that suits your consumption habits in each season.

Adapting to the demands of each season, both in how you use your equipment and how you care for it, is not only a smart strategy for saving on your electricity bill at the end of the month, but also a way to use them efficiently and in an environmentally responsible way.