Home cooling strategies and air conditioning efficiency during heatwaves

As France prepares for another heatwave, residents are seeking ways to manage rising indoor temperatures. Methods to cool a home without air conditioning include strategic ventilation, managing window shutters, and using indoor plants to maintain a more comfortable environment.

Regarding air conditioning usage, energy consultant Alex Bermudez suggests that running a unit throughout the night has a minimal impact on electricity bills, comparing the cost to that of a single cup of coffee. He emphasizes that the temperature setting is more critical than the duration of use. To optimize efficiency, he recommends maintaining a temperature between 23°C and 25°C, noting that every degree lowered below the target can increase energy consumption by 6% to 8%.