Costa del Sol Property Blog

Many ex-pats from the cooler wetter north of Europe dream of owning a home in the sun, and many have achieved it. But whether it is your primary residence or a holiday home being greener holds many benefits, not only to reduce our ‘carbon footprint’ but to help reduce costs.

Most of the suggestions below were compiled by myself and a few friends (boring aren’t we?) over a pitcher of sangria. Most suggestions require little to no outlay yet could reduce water and electric bills substantially.

First, let’s have a look at our gardens.

-If you have a pool, it is worth while installing a pool cover. It will cost a few hundred euros, but even with this outlay you will have saved money after 12 months. Also check for leaks around pumps.

-Plant during the spring or autumn when the water requirements are lower. There will also be less die-off

-To minimize wastage, water during the early morning hours or during the evening, when temperatures are cooler and winds are lighter.

-During the summer, plants do not need to be watered daily. It is better to water deeply than often.

-Use a layer of organic mulch or stones around the plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of litres of water a year.

-Only use the sprinkler for larger areas of grass. For smaller patches water by hand to avoid waste.

-Reduce the amount of grass in your garden by planting shrubs.

-Use native plants or at least Mediterranean plants as much as possible. They are better adapted to the local environment and support native animals. They also use less water and require less of your attention.

Group plants with similar watering needs together. This prevents over/under-watering.

-Also choose a drip irrigation system for trees, shrubs and flowers. Watering at the roots is very effective and efficient.

-Remember to check your sprinkler system valves periodically for leaks and keep the heads in good shape.

-Avoid ornamental water features and fountains that spray water into the air. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation. Of course they should also not be in direct sunlight for long periods of time to reduce evaporation as well.

-Make sure you know how to turn off your sprinklers. Nothing quite as pointless as sprinklers going off after it’s rained. Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub,

-Start a compost pile. This is great for the plants and greener than simply throwing in the rubbish. You can include most organic waste from you house. Peelings, leftovers, paper, etc… Just don’t include meat or paper/cardboard with ink on it.

-Perennials plants. Why replant yearly? If you choose a nice selection of plants that flower during different season you always have an attractive garden and save those euros.

-Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and/or sidewalks. If you do want to wet it, a mop and bucket is a greener alternative.

Inside your home

-Make sure you don’t leave your computer, printer, and television on. Remember even when they are on standby, there is electrical consumption.

-If you want to have a computer in Spain, buy a laptop. Not only will your electricity consumption be lower, but if it’s a holiday home you can take it home with you. You can also email your friends while sitting around the pool.

WARNING: this may result in the loss of friends!

-If you have radiators in your home (yes it is cold occasionally on the Costa del Sol), stick tinfoil behind it to prevent the loss of heat.

-Conversely during the summer months, putting air-conditioning at 15ºC does not make the room cool down faster, just means it runs for longer. Set if a few degrees below the outside temperature and you will feel the difference.

-As an alternative ceiling fans are effective a cooling rooms. Also prevents summer colds.

-Many ferreterias sell reflective window film. As the name implies, it is reflective. Helps keep the property cool during the summer. Also prevent you furniture/curtains getting bleached by the sun.

-When washing dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running. Many of us have double sinks, so fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

-Only run you washing machine or dishwasher when full. You could save thousands of litres a month.

-Collect the water you use for rinsing produce and reuse it to water houseplants.

-When you go shopping for kitchen appliances, look at cycle and load size adjustments. In regards to water and energy consumption they are far more efficient.

-Put food colouring in your toilet tank. If there is a leak it will seep into the toilet bowl. Easy and cheap to fix and will save hundreds of litres a month.

-You can also put a plastic bottle filled with sand or a brick in the water tank. This means that less water is used per flush. Quite impressive when the toilet usage accounts for nearly 30% of your water usage.

-Plug the bathtub prior to running the water on. You can always adjust the temperature as it tub fills up.

-Don’t use running water to thaw food. Letting it thaw in a bowl of water adds only a few minutes and saves litres.

-Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 10 litres a minute. Clean you teeth twice a day 7 times a week? Imaging if you a family of four!

-Turn off the water while you shave and you can save more than 300 litres a week (men and women).
Don’t waste these suggestions, this took lots of hours (and sangria) to work out.

Andrew Bellés
Arriba Estates