The exceptional heat that is affecting Italy not only has effects on health and quality of life, but also significantly affects family budgets. According to an analysis by Assoutenti, in fact, the wave of heat can cost up to around 600 euros more per month for families, including increases in energy costs, consumption and costs to protect themselves from the heat.
Higher bills and intensive use of air conditioners
One of the most significant expenditure items concerns electricity. The early and prolonged use of air conditioners, fans and dehumidifiers in the home, combined with the increase in tariffs, directly affects bills. Assoutenti estimates an increase of between 50 and 100 euros per month per family. The international context also has an impact: geopolitical tensions, such as the war in Iran, have contributed to an increase in electricity tariffs, with average price increases of 8.4% on the free market and 4.6% for vulnerable customers in the summer quarter, according to Arera data.
President Gabriele Melluso explains:
The record heat that has been raging in Italy for days radically changes citizens’ habits and can lead to a real drain on families’ pockets. However, it is possible to contain spending by rationalizing consumption and resorting to expedients that help us beat the heat without necessarily having to reach into our wallets.
Water consumption and food expenditure on the rise
The heat inevitably leads to greater use of water, both for personal hygiene and for watering gardens and plants. Showers become more frequent and the need for drinking water increases, with an additional outlay estimated at between 20 and 30 euros per month.
At the same time, food consumption linked to fresh products and thirst-quenching drinks is also growing. Soft drinks, ice cream, fresh fruit and mineral water are experiencing an increase in demand, often accompanied by price increases also recorded by Istat. In this case, the extra cost is between 60 and 80 euros per month.
To escape the city heat, many families choose to spend more time in swimming pools and beach clubs. Between entrance fees, rental of sunbeds and umbrellas, parking and drinks, the price increase can vary between 120 and 200 euros per month. Added to these expenses are the costs for food supplements, increasingly used in periods of intense heat to counteract the loss of mineral salts (20-40 euros). Sun protection products must also be considered, such as creams and aftersun, which involve an estimated cost of between 30 and 40 euros per family unit.
Transport and fuel, the effect of heat
High temperatures also change travel habits. The car is often preferred to public transport or two-wheeled vehicles, such as bicycles and scooters, considered less comfortable in the heat. This leads to an increase in fuel consumption of between 40 and 60 euros per month.
Furthermore, the use of air conditioning in the car has a further impact. It can increase fuel use by up to 30%, with an estimated additional cost of between 20 and 40 euros per month.
How to contain costs: Assoutenti’s advice
Faced with this scenario, Assoutenti invites families to rationalize consumption and adopt more efficient behaviors. Among the suggested strategies:
- use the air conditioner only where needed and when needed, using the dehumidifier function and setting an operating timer at night;
- maintain air filters;
- take advantage of the natural coolness: open the windows early in the morning or late in the evening to ventilate the rooms and keep the shutters and curtains closed during the hottest hours;
- take short showers, not hot or icy;
- use the car wisely and avoid long stops with the engine running;
- eat fresh, local, seasonal, avoiding overly salty, fried and fat-rich foods;
- drink tap water if drinkable;
- bring food and drinks from home when you go to the beach or swimming pool, so you can save on drinks.
