Extreme heat events are among the most uncomfortable things we can experience anywhere we are, although to be honest, the one that affects us most is heat, as it is more difficult to combat unless you use devices such as air conditioning. However, this situation can cause you to despair as it can cost you a fine of up to 20,000 euros. Let’s take a look.
The heat in Spain in 2025
According to the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), the thermometer is expected to reach 42 °C in some areas. These include the regions of Extremadura, Catalonia, Andalusia and Aragon, and other parts of the country are not ruled out. It is worth noting that the large bodies of water in the Balearic Islands and the Iberian Peninsula are recording an average temperature of 26 °C, which is a record for this month, as these temperatures are more typical of the end of August.
For this reason, various organisations such as Civil Protection and the Ministry of Health have issued a series of recommendations to alleviate the effects of the heat, such as staying hydrated, avoiding exposure to the sun for long periods, taking care of vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and children, and taking care not to cause forest fires.
Desperation due to the heat can lead to very expensive fines
The heatwave affecting Spain has caused a spike in demand for air conditioning equipment of different capacities in large stores that sell directly to end users. However, this is no exception to compliance with Royal Decree 115/2017 and the Regulation on Thermal Installations in Buildings, which provides for fines of up to £20,000.
Many people desperate to escape the high temperatures do not take into account that the equipment must be installed by companies that are authorised to apply the regulations governing these installations (although this material will make you say goodbye forever to these devices). This applies to all equipment except portable models known as penguins.
This restriction is due to the fact that equipment containing fluorinated gas must be handled by trained and certified technical personnel, as there is a high risk of poisoning through inhalation. However, for reasons of time or cost, many users employ the services of companies that are not certified, according to the Association of Companies in the Installation and Energy Sector (or Agremia).
With new smart technologies, technical personnel are no longer just installing equipment to prevent heat, but also have to deal with parameters such as energy efficiency. Likewise, when purchasing equipment, it is best to seek specialised advice for a sustainable solution from an authorised company, thus avoiding fines or legal problems of any kind.
Recommendations for complying with the law
The main requirement of the law is that, when requested, you must have documentation certifying that your air conditioning equipment was installed by a company with legal status in the sector. This point highlights the importance of contracting a company certified in this type of installation, especially in hot seasons when there are many unqualified people offering their services.
In conclusion, although the heat can often be unbearable, you must be careful when hiring someone to install air conditioning equipment (but if you are building, you can use Kaynemaile to cool your home without air conditioning). If you hire an unlicensed company, you run the risk of legal problems or fines of up to £20,000.
