How can housing estates save on electricity?

Welcome to a new post on our Meridional Team blog. Today we’re going to talk about how to save electricity in housing estates.

You may have seen in the Spanish media that electricity prices are constantly rising. This began to happen towards the end of last year, and prices are still rising today.

Why have prices risen? How can you save on electricity in the communal areas of your housing estate?

If you want to find out the answers, carry on reading.

Why have electricity prices gone up?

The factors behind the price increase are as follows:

The rise in the price of raw materials: The price of natural gas – one of the fuels needed to generate energy – has risen
Cost of CO₂ emissions: That is what coal and gas companies pay to be allowed to pollute. When the price rises, it leads to higher electricity bills.
Crisis: The economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by the war between Russia and Ukraine, is having an impact on the financial markets.

In 2021, in Spain, electricity bills rose by 40% compared with the previous year. And this year is following the same trend: It has now risen by 41% in just three months.

Even so, it is worth highlighting some of the measures the Government has introduced, such as the reduction in VAT on electricity from 21% to 10% and the suspension of the tax on electricity generation, which stands at 7%.

How can energy be saved in housing estates?

We’re going to offer a series of tips on how to save on your electricity bill, focusing on the communal areas of a housing estate or block of flats.

Saving electricity in lifts

According to experts, electricity consumption can account for up to 80% of a block of flats’ total electricity consumption.

Here are 5 tips for saving energy:

Most electricity consumption comes from the lighting. The best way to save energy is to use energy-saving light bulbs and LED technology. This will enable you to save up to 80%.
Using a smart technology system. It will save up to 50% in energy consumption, as well as saving time.
Cabin stop. This way, the lift will not be using electricity 24 hours a day, but only when it is switched on. To achieve this, presence detectors need to be installed in the lift car.
Replace the machinery. It may seem counterintuitive, but new technologies use less energy and do not require as many resources to operate at their best.
Selective manoeuvring mechanisms. There will be no unnecessary starts when calls are requested from passengers in the cabin travelling in the opposite direction to the visitors.

Although there are many ways to save electricity in lifts, these are the most effective. Naturally, responsible use by residents and proper lift maintenance will help to achieve these savings.

Saving electricity in the swimming pool

It is common for swimming pools to be built in housing estates. In this article, we focus on outdoor swimming pools.

Here are 7 tips for saving electricity in swimming pools:

Making use of solar technology. Use solar heaters and panels that absorb the sun’s energy to heat the pool water. It is also good for the environment.
Lighting. As we mentioned in the previous point, using LED lights will save on electricity. Another advantage is that they last three times longer than other types of light bulbs.
Filtration. The more debris there is in your swimming pool’s drains, the harder the pump and filter will have to work, and therefore the more energy they will use. Regular cleaning ensures that the filtration system operates efficiently. Furthermore, upgrading the system will lead to greater energy savings, as modern filters tend to use less electricity than older models.
Automatic pool cleaners. If the swimming pool has an automatic cleaning system, the most efficient way to use it is as follows: start the cleaning cycle 15 minutes after the filter pump has started running, and stop it 15 minutes before the filter pump finishes running.
Fit a windbreak. A gentle breeze can increase energy consumption by up to 30%. Windbreaks should be tall enough and positioned close to the swimming pool to help save energy.
Use timers. The timers switch off the power supply to the filter system at preset intervals, which makes it easier to operate and reduces energy consumption.
Preventing evaporation. Water evaporation is the process that consumes the most energy in swimming pools. Between 70% and 90% of the heat loss from the water is due to evaporation. Preventing this will result in significant energy savings.

Saving on electricity with solar panels

To encourage the use of these number plates, the government has introduced grants for residents’ associations that are willing to use them. To apply, you will need to contact your local council.

There are three types of grants:

Property Tax (IBI) Reliefs : The IBI is a tax levied on the value of properties based on their cadastral classification. The amount and payment deadlines are set by each local council.

Important: this discount is only available during the three periods following completion of the installation

Income tax relief (IRPF):a 20% discount if energy efficiency improvement works have been carried out.
Grants from the autonomous communities: In Andalusia, grants can cover up to 65% of the installation cost.

Extra tips for saving energy in buildings

To round off, here are a few extra tips to help you save as much as possible.

Thermal insulation: By insulating the façade with a layer of mineral wool or polystyrene, heat loss and heat gain in the building are prevented. This will result in a reduction in energy consumption of between 50% and 60%.
Vertical garden: It can be installed on façades or terraces. Some of its benefits include reducing the temperature, which results in a saving of 30%; or, if the building has solar panels, the panels become more efficient.
Outdoor lighting: Use LED lights in corridors, landings, etc. As well as installing motion sensors to reduce their use.
Analysis of energy consumption: This analysis, carried out by a professional, will help to reduce electricity bills by between 20% and 40%. It involves determining the amount of electricity being consumed and eliminating or reducing excessive or unnecessary consumption.

In conclusion, there are many simple ways to save electricity in housing estates, which can help reduce your electricity bill.

You may also be interested in this article we wrote some time ago, which complements the information we have provided on energy saving in housing estates.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us; at Meridional we’ll be delighted to help.