Spain Makes New Rules for Air Conditioning

Spain and other European countries are trying to use less energy 

Europe is fighting very high temperatures and increasing energy prices. Now, Spain and other European countries are telling their citizens to turn down the air conditioner (A/C).

On Tuesday, the Spanish government published a new rule which says that air conditioning must be set at 27 degrees Celsius (about 80°F) or higher, and that building doors stay closed. The purpose of the rule, which goes into effect next week, is to save energy.

Public places like offices, shops, bars, theaters, and more have to follow the rule. It’s recommended that homeowners do the same. The new rules also say that heaters should be 19 degrees Celsius (about 66°F) or lower in the winter. The rules will maybe end in November 2023.

Pedro Sánchez, the prime minister of Spain, says that the country has to start saving energy now. 

In the last months, Greece and Italy announced similar rules to Spain. 

Public places in France using air conditioning have to pay a fine of €750 if they leave their doors open. In the German city of Hanover, fan heaters and mobile air conditioners are banned, except in schools and hospitals.

In Europe, less than 10% of homes have A/C, whereas more than 90% of homes in the US have A/C.