Due to the global climate emergency situation, the sudden and sustained temperatures rising in summer represents a phenomenon with a high risk to the health of people and the planet itself.
In Barcelona, a heat wave is considered when maximum temperatures exceed 33.1 °C for straight three days or more, according to the Barcelona City Council 2018-2030 Climate Plan. In this plan, it is also confirmed that excessive heat becomes an increase in mortality and morbidity, especially in the most vulnerable groups. Such as the elderly, babies, people with functional or intellectual diversity who have limited mobility and self-care, people with chronic diseases, people who take medication that acts on the central nervous system and those who live in precarious social conditions.
In this socio-environmental context, taking measures that increase energy efficiency can be a very useful strategy to prevent and preserve the health of people (especially people in a vulnerable situation) faced with heatwaves every year, as a result of the climate change.
For this reason, the Barcelona City Council is firmly committed to taking measures and protocols to combat climate change, such as the 2018-2030 Climate Plan specifies. Also, it is recommended to follow and share the following energy efficiency tips to be able to apply them at home during the summer:
- Insulation of the house: Maintaining good insulation in the house helps to keep an stable temperature inside the house. Thus, it is necessary to check the outside windows and doors are properly insulated. It prevents air leaks that could cause the ideal temperature achieved inside the home.
- Closing the windows and lowering the blinds and/or exterior awnings during the hottest hours: During the hottest hours, lowering the blinds will help to prevent the temperature rise inside the home, and to reach a suitable temperature.
- Thermostat at 24 ºC: It is recommended that the temperature set in the air appliances does not drop below 24 ºC.
- Opaque or semi-transparent blinds: Blinds, curtains and roller blinds are really important and useful resources for maintaining air conditioning inside the rooms. The blinds, roller blinds and curtains with opacity allow to reduce the outside insolation while keeping the lighting and a correct environment inside the house.
- Use of exterior awnings: These elements are very effective against heat, since it is the first barrier against the sun’s rays. Depending on the type of awning and its orientation, its use can help to reduce the sensation of heat up to 90%.
- Fan in cool areas: The fan should be used in the coolest areas of the house to cause air movement. This can mean a temperature sensation drop between 3 ºC and 5 ºC.
- Appliances and low-energy light bulbs: Low-energy light bulbs do not produce as much heating of the environment in the home, as traditional light bulbs. To correctly identify low-energy appliances and light bulbs, it is necessary to look at the energy label of each appliance, with reference to EU Regulation 2017/1369.