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ARCHIVED - Cost-conscious electricity users face 3,000 euro fines for using the washing machine at night
Noise pollution laws in Spanish cities make it difficult to use new low electricity timetables
The introduction of new electricity tariffs in Spain on 1st June has made many people far more aware of the advantages of using high-consumption white goods at night rather than during the day, but it has emerged that those doing so in an effort to cut their monthly bills could be falling foul of noise pollution regulations in some parts of the country.
In large cities including Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia strict noise level restrictions are in force in order to discourage residents from depriving their neighbours of the right to rest during the hours of darkness, and in most cases the decibel maximum is below the level of a typical spin cycle in a washing machine. As a result, people saving a few euros on their electricity bill by using the washing machine night could face fines of up to 3,000 euros for doing so!
Spain’s consumer organization OCU reports that in many cities the noise restrictions between 22.00 or 23.00 and 7.00 or 8.00 impose a maximum level of 30 or 35 decibels, but in general washing machines produce a noise level of between 46 and 57 decibels, and the spin phase can reach 70 dB. For this reason, those attempting to make use of the low-tariff band between midnight and 8.00 seem to be well and truly stymied.
Complaints have already been reported in Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Sevilla, Palma de Mallorca and other cities, and the situation appears to indicate that some form of compromise is needed on the part of local administrations!