Most modern air conditioning units in southern Spain can heat as well as cool. That makes them useful in winter, especially in apartments and villas without central heating.
Before the colder evenings arrive, it is worth checking that the system is ready.
When to switch to heating mode
There is no fixed date. Many Costa del Sol homes stay warm during the day well into autumn, but bedrooms and living rooms can feel cold at night.
Switch to heating mode when the room needs it, then set a sensible target temperature. For many homes, 20 to 22 degrees is enough.
Clean the filters first
Filters should be cleaned before the first proper heating run of the season. A blocked filter reduces airflow, makes the unit work harder and can leave the room heating unevenly.
If the unit has been used heavily through summer, a professional service before winter is a good idea.
Check the unit before relying on it
Run the system in heating mode and listen for unusual noises. Check that warm air arrives after a few minutes and that the indoor unit is not dripping.
If the system does not respond, smells hot, trips the power or struggles to heat the room, arrange a service rather than forcing it to run.
Book servicing before the rush
Air conditioning faults are easier to deal with before everyone needs heating or cooling at once. An engineer can clean the unit, check the drain, test operation and identify parts that may fail later.
If you use air conditioning for both summer cooling and winter heating, annual servicing is the minimum sensible routine.