The heat wave is bringing back the topic of energy poverty, a structural problem that lasts all year round and that is forcing social entities to redouble their efforts these days to assist all people who may have difficulty maintaining a healthy temperature at home. Projects such as Cooltorise , funded by the European Union, seek to assist and support all people who have difficulty paying their electricity bills.
Second heat wave so far this summer. Intense heat is expected this week in July, with highs of 37 to 39ºC in Catalonia and close to 40 degrees or more from Wednesday. The Meteorological Service has activated the heat warning, with the forecast that it will remain, and both the Generalitat and the central government have already activated the protocols for high temperatures. In Catalonia, civil protection has asked for extreme precautions in the face of the forecast of extreme temperatures and the Ministry of Health has activated the Subscription Service for Temperatures and Risk Levels , a very good tool for prevention and protection against the high temperatures that are approaching.
In this sense, the institutions recall some of the advice to deal with it, such as staying hydrated, avoiding going out or doing activities during the middle of the day or maintaining a pleasant temperature inside the home. But, can everyone afford to maintain a healthy temperature inside the home? One of the issues that has emerged strongly since the first heat wave in June is that of summer energy poverty . And the fact is that not everyone can plug in a fan, turn on the air, take a cold shower or keep food fresh in spaces in the house. Maintaining a healthy temperature at home is not within everyone’s reach and it is for this reason that, from the entities that fight against energy poverty, more awareness and resources are being called for in summer energy poverty.
Summer energy poverty
Energy poverty does not only affect quality of life and health during the winter months. It is a phenomenon that also reduces people’s well-being in the summer and, especially, during situations such as the current extreme heat wave. The more heat, as we know, the more energy consumption to air-condition homes. Immersed in a context of rising energy prices, part of the population either does not have adequate air-conditioning systems, or thinks about it a lot before pressing the button to turn on household appliances.
But in order to act, it is necessary to know and make visible the phenomenon of summer energy poverty. It is necessary to have data and information that dimensions this problem and helps to address it effectively. Mitigating energy poverty requires new laws that respond to the needs of families, but it also requires improving the quality of housing or ensuring affordable energy prices, among many other actions.
The problem, in numbers
Although more and more studies are being carried out to analyze this social scourge, the truth is that, today, there are few numbers available. According to the report of the Association of Environmental Sciences, a total of 7,000 people died in the State as a whole in 2018 due to energy poverty. These data also include premature deaths due to heatstroke. The same study indicates that 1.9 million people live in homes with an inadequate temperature, which represents 10% of the population.
These data are in line with the latest published by the Public Health Agency in 2016, which states that around 10% of respondents cannot afford to keep their homes at an adequate temperature during the warm months. To give us an idea of consumption, a fan represents around 40-60 Wh, while an air conditioner would not be less than 800wh, depending on the type of appliance installed.
Cooltorise, a project for change
At Ecoserveis we are part of the Cooltorise project, part of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 package. A project that seeks to assist and support those who may have difficulty paying their electricity bills and that aims to reduce the incidence of summer energy poverty among European households, improving indoor thermal habitability conditions and reducing energy needs during the hot season. A purpose that is achieved with advice, but also with workshops aimed at citizens . For now, bill workshops and heat prevention workshops have been held at five different points (in the Llacuna, Eixample and Raval neighborhoods of Barcelona and in the city of Santa Coloma de Gramenet). For July 2022, there are up to six more scheduled.
In general, the workshops are intended to take place in civic centers and neighborhood facilities (to strengthen the local area and assist those interested near their home), and attendees are asked to bring their electricity bill to teach them the concepts and the best way to reduce it. During the sessions, advice is given to better insulate homes or be more energy efficient. Also remember that cities like Barcelona have energy advisory services such as the Energy Advice Points (PAE), which offer personalized attention in matters of energy rights.
Climate Shelter Network
In recent years, a trend has begun to emerge that, due to the effects of the climate crisis, will become increasingly frequent: the intensity of heat waves will be increasingly high. According to the latest data, there is currently one heat wave every 4 years (on average), but the frequency is expected to increase to two waves per year (in the best case scenario) or up to four (in the most pessimistic forecasts).
In order to take action, since 2019 Barcelona City Council has put into operation a network of climate shelter spaces, spaces where citizens can protect themselves from the heat. All related information can be found at this link .
Tips in video format
- Ventilate the home early or late in the day, when temperatures are lowest.
- Close windows, blinds and awnings in areas of the house where the sun shines. If the heat continues to come in, reflective elements can be installed to insulate the glass.
- If you can, use a fan to circulate the air.
- If you use air conditioning, remember to clean the filter to improve air quality and save energy. Remember that every degree you set higher can have an effect of up to 7-8% on your electricity bill.
- Try to keep all electronic equipment turned off when you are not using it, as they cause you to spend more and, at the same time, generate heat.
- Remember to eat fresh dishes that do not need to be steamed or baked, as they also increase expenses and add heat to the home.
You can watch the video from Energia Justa with advice for dealing with the heat wave:
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