The heat costs up to 600 euros a month per family. This includes air conditioning, water consumption and the cost of keeping cool
Assoutenti has carried out a study to understand how the exceptional heatwave is affecting the habits and household budgets of Italian families
Key points
The extreme heatwave that has hit Italia is costing families up to almost 600 euros a month, due to higher energy and water consumption and expenditure on goods and services needed to cope with the record temperatures of recent weeks. This estimate comes from Assoutenti, which carried out a study to understand how the exceptional heatwave is affecting the habits and household budgets of Italian families.
Rising electricity prices and the use of air conditioners and fans
The early switch-on of air conditioners, fans, dehumidifiers, etc., the longer daily running times of these appliances and the rise in electricity tariffs caused by the war in Iran – with electricity bills on the free market rising by an average of +8.4% year-on-year, whilst for vulnerable households the increase decided by ARERA for the summer quarter was 4.6% – resulting in an estimated increase in energy costs of between +50 and +100 euros per month per household, depending on the type of system, energy class, efficiency, the number of split units in the home, and the number of hours they are switched on.
Increased water consumption
The heat also leads to a surge in water consumption, with more water being used for refreshing showers, to quench thirst, to water gardens and plants, etc., resulting in an estimated increase in costs of +20 to +30 euros per month per household.
Increased consumption of soft drinks, ice cream, fresh fruit and mineral water
High temperatures are also having an impact on food consumption, with an increasing demand for fresh and thirst-quenching products, ranging from soft drinks to ice cream and fresh fruit. As Istat also notes in its inflation report, these products are seeing significant price rises, partly as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. The additional expenditure is estimated at between +60 and +80 euros per month per household.
The sea and swimming pools
As the weather gets hotter, residents are making greater use of swimming pools and beach resorts to escape the sweltering heat in the city, taking advantage of the facilities offered by these venues (sun loungers, parasols, car parks, food and drink, etc.), spending a total of between €120 and €200 per household.
