SOCIAL media outbursts over supposed fines and orders of removal for outdoor air conditioning units have been debunked, giving an airy flow of relief to those battling Spain’s heat wave. 

Locals already fanning themselves to survive the current heat wave smacking Spain in the face were confronted with talks of a hefty fine and the mandatory removal of air con units by the national government. 

However, fact-checkers have assured this is not necessarily true and that regulation instead falls under three different categories. 

The debunking comes at the same time that Spain’s summer weather has reached a boiling point with red alerts, massive wildfires, and over 1,000 deaths caused by temperatures surpassing the 40s.

READ MORE: Spain braces for fresh 42C heatwave just days after deadly June scorcher

The rumors surrounding the supposed fines were specifically regarding the installation of air con units that were placed outside building facades.    

Messages spread across social media claimed that the Spanish government was going to enforce stricter inspections regarding air con placement and give fines up to €3,000 for those failing to remove ones that do not fit the legal requirements. 

Spanish homeowners and renters must abide by the jurisdiction of the Horizontal Property Law (LPH) of 1960, along with municipal ordinances and resident associations.       

READ MORE: Stay-at-home order lifted for 12,000 residents near Costa Brava wildfire – as firefighters declare blaze that injured 10 and scorched 2,300 hectares ‘stable’ 

Users on Facebook, Instagram and X shared pictures of Spain’s Prime Minister with text that says, ‘Pedro Sanchez promotes the elimination of air conditioners in the middle of a heat wave.’ 

While people don’t have to worry about the Spanish government coming for their wallets and ability to cool off, sanctions could be placed by local administrators for alleged violations.

A breakdown of LPH finds that an outdoor air con unit is considered under the articles for the ‘alteration of common elements’.

READ MORE: WATCH: Huge wildfire erupts near Spanish tourist hotspot – more than 12,000 residents ordered indoors on Costa Brava with 30,000 hectares at ‘severe’ risk

Article 7 of LPH finds that a homeowner or renter may not carry out work on the building if it impairs or alters the safety, general structure, or exterior configuration of the building.

A municipal technician who is ordered to inspect a building and finds that an installed air conditioning unit violates distance and technical rules, they can issue an order to ‘correct or remove’ it.

Ordinances in cities like Madrid ask that air con units are either on the ceiling or roof of a building.

READ MORE: Nearly 200 evacuated as wildfire sweeps through Andalucia nature reserve

Any case of permitted exterior placements should then maintain a strict minimum separation distance from any neighbouring windows.

Madrid’s City Council outlines that owners who ignore this mandatory requirement can face ‘fines up to 3,000.’

Still, there are no official records of Pedro Sanchez or his team announcing any law changes or new regulations for installing air con units on building facades.

READ MORE: Spain logs more than 1,000 deaths linked to ‘extraordinarily’ high temperatures in June

With the current soaring temperatures across the EU, a political debate has begun about the general use of air con.

Some claim that the devices will increase electricity demands, exacerbate emissions and ulitimately end up with air con use as an inequal luxury that only the wealthy can afford.

Others say to adapt to the likelihood of continued heat waves, the implementation of air con to homes is a necessary tool for public health.

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