Repsol YPF

It is sufficient to reflect briefly on some of our habits in order to realise that by modifying them we could use resources more sensibly with hardly any effort and without compromising our quality of life in the slightest. 

Saving water

One that is obvious, especially if we take into account the water shortages that affect most of Spain, is turning off the tap when we are not using the water whilst washing up, having a shower or brushing our teeth. In this respect, we can purchase volume reducers or aerators, small devices costing between 7 and 25 euros, which are fitted to the taps or shower head. They maintain the water pressure but reduce the flow, such that after a year you will have more than recuperated the cost. Furthermore, it must be taken into account that over 40% of the water that we consume is hot water, with the resulting energy consumption that this implies. 

Improve lighting

It is well-known that poor interior lighting gives a home a gloomy air that is best avoided, but this does not necessarily mean that the electricity bill will go up. It is sufficient to paint the rooms in light colours, leave the blinds up and curtains drawn during the day and to use low-energy light bulbs. This type of bulb consumes between 20% and 80% of the electricity consumed by normal bulbs and can also last up to fifteen times longer. 

Reduce use of heating

In a normal Spanish home, heating makes up approximately 30% of the total energy consumption. As such, if we want to save energy, it is fundamental to look at how we can improve our heating use without the house becoming less cosy in winter. One option is to improve the insulation by fitting panels to the walls and ceilings, and if we cannot afford to do this, we could install a false plaster ceiling in order to concentrate the heat. We can also use double glazing, put draught excluders on doors and windows (wooden ones insulate better than aluminium ones) and put curtains up. 

It is also sensible to insulate the boxes containing external blind mechanisms, through which considerable heat escapes. Where the use of heating is concerned, it is recommended that it is not set at more than 20 degrees and it should naturally be turned off every time we leave the house. 

Saving in the kitchen

Covering saucepans and using pans that are bigger than the ring, defrosting food by leaving it in the fridge instead of using the microwave and not opening either the oven or freezer door unnecessarily, are just some of the simple everyday gestures that we can perform which can lead to a considerable saving in the long term. 
 
 
Efficient use of electrical appliances

It is a fact that every year homes accumulate more and more electrical appliances, which implies increasing energy consumption. Particularly since many of them are now designed to be permanently plugged in even when they are not in use, which is known as standby energy. As such, it is recommendable to buy those which are labelled as being efficient in accordance with the European regulations. It is also a good idea to unplug appliances when we go on holiday and plug several appliances into an extension lead with a switch on it, in order to be able to disconnect them with a single flick. 

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