When I was looking for an apartment in Madrid, the orientation issue really puzzled me for a long time. Eventually, I chose a west-facing apartment, and now after living here for almost three years, I want to share my real experience with you.
About Lighting and Western Sun Exposure
The most obvious feature of a west-facing apartment is the abundant afternoon and evening sunlight. It does get quite hot in summer, especially from June to September. Between 3 PM and 8 PM, the living room temperature can be 2-3 degrees higher than other orientations. However, winter in Madrid apartments is completely different – that warm afternoon sunlight is truly comfortable and can save a lot on heating costs. I’ve tracked it, and my winter electricity bills are 20-30 euros less per month compared to my friend’s north-facing apartment.
Actual Temperature Comparison
I measured indoor temperatures across different seasons with a thermometer and kept a simple record:
| Season | West-Facing Room | North-Facing Room | Temperature Difference |
|---|
| Summer | 28-30°C | 25-26°C | +3-4°C |
| Winter | 20-22°C | 17-18°C | +3-4°C |
| Spring/Fall | 23-25°C | 21-23°C | +2°C |
As the table shows, the temperature difference for west-facing apartments remains quite stable throughout the year. The key is whether you prioritize summer coolness or winter warmth.
About Curtains and Sun Shading
During my first summer here, I discovered that good blackout curtains are absolutely essential. I later switched to double-layer curtains – blackout curtains on the outside and sheer curtains on the inside. This way, I can block intense sunlight while not making the room too dark. Both Leroy Merlin and IKEA offer cost-effective options. I spent about 150 euros and solved the western sun problem. Additionally, if your apartment has external blinds, that’s even better, as you can fully adjust the light intensity.
The Truth About Energy Consumption
Many people worry that west-facing apartments increase air conditioning costs. Indeed, I use the AC longer in summer, but Madrid evenings usually cool down. As long as you open windows for ventilation, you don’t actually need to run the AC all night. In my first year, I didn’t understand this and ran the AC all summer. Later, I discovered that turning off the AC after 10 PM and opening windows actually improved my sleep quality. In comparison, the heating savings in winter can actually offset the extra AC costs in summer.
My Personal Take
Whether a west-facing apartment suits you really depends on your lifestyle and temperature sensitivity. If you work during the day and only return home in the afternoon and evening, the disadvantages of west-facing properties become less apparent compared to old apartment prices in Madrid. Moreover, Madrid’s sunlight is truly precious, especially in winter. Coming home from work every day to enjoy the warm sunset glow is a feeling that north or east-facing apartments cannot provide. Price-wise, west-facing apartments are usually 5-10% cheaper than south-facing ones. If you’re working with a limited budget for Madrid properties, combined with good curtains and ventilation strategies, you can definitely live very comfortably.
