You might think you couldn't live without air conditioning in over 40º Celsius weather. Think again. People all over Andalucía get by just fine, thanks to a summer lifestyle that focuses on taking life a bit easier: many businesses change to summer hours and the long lunch hour comes in especially handy during this time of year. The modern trend, however is towards air conditioning, both at work and at home.

You can buy air conditioning units at major shopping centres, such as Carrefour and Hipercor or at home improvement super stores like Leroy Merlín in Marbella. However, because sizing is such an important issue, even manufacturers recommend buying from a specialised company.

Sizing
The type of air conditioning unit that is right for your home depends in part on the size of the space you wish to cool. It also depends on how many windows the space contains, which direction those windows face and whether or not they have awnings over them. In addition, your needs may vary if you have a number of heat producing appliances - ovens, dishwashers, washing machines, driers - close by and according to how many people usually inhabit the area. A professional might take all of these factors into account when deciding which unit is best for a particular room.

Savings
Two main types of air conditioning units are on the market today: standard and inverter. Standard units consume more energy because they are designed to reach a temperature setting and then click off. Every time the temperature starts to rise, they click back on again effecting a pricey power surge. Inverter units, on the other hand, maintain a super-low electric current, even after reaching their temperature setting. This allows them to swing back into action without using so much power. In fact, a typical inverter-style a/c unit uses 30 per cent less than its standard counterpart, and the most sophisticated inverters might consume up to 40 per cent less electricity. Inverters cost approximately five per cent more than standard units, but quickly make up for the extra cost.

Further savings on the cost of running an air conditioning unit can be gained by insulating your home, blocking air leaks around windows and doors, using curtains and awnings to keep out the hot sun, cleaning your filters regularly and scheduling yearly service check ups.

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