This is the mistake that makes you pay more on your air conditioning bill in summer.

In the summer heat, it's normal to turn to air conditioning to survive. But the same question always arises: how much does it really cost? And while it's obvious that cooling your home has a price, what many don't know is that it doesn't depend so much on usage, but on another factor that often goes unnoticed.

Andrés Gil, an energy sector expert and spokesperson for Octopus Energy, spoke on this topic. He explains that one of the key points on the bill is the contracted power, a technical term that, although often overlooked, can represent up to 30% of the monthly amount. "You don't have to turn off the air conditioning to save. The important thing is to review the power you have contracted, because in many cases it's more than you actually need," he points out.

This happens because for years it was recommended to contract more power "just in case," especially at a time when appliances were less efficient and fuses were common. But today, with modern, energy-efficient equipment, many households continue to pay as if it were 2005. And they do so without realizing it, because no one warns them.

For those unsure how to check this, Gil recommends using tools like Lower Power, a free website that analyzes consumption history and calculates whether it's possible to reduce power without compromising supply.

To use it, simply enter the invoice's CUPS code or upload the PDF, and the system does the rest. "It always includes a safety margin, so as not to recommend a reduction that could cause problems," the expert explains.