Rising energy costs are making a big hole in many household budgets. But saving 30 to 50 percent on energy costs in a household can be achieved with a few simple tips. One just needs to know how.
Saving instead of paying
In connection with rising energy prices energy consumption in the household too Reduce, one does not necessarily have to forgo the usual comfort. Energy companies help consumers find ways to save energy. The emphasis is on household appliances. Older refrigerators, washing machines and stoves in particular are real power guzzlers. If citizens seek advice from their energy company, they can sometimes be of service with consumption meters. These are then placed between the socket and the household appliance and determine the exact power consumption.
Calculate the consumption yourself
You can also calculate the power consumption yourself to use electricity more consciously. The power is stated on each device (usually on the back) in watts (W). Multiply the value by the daily operating time (h) and the number of days of use in the year (or 365) and divide by 1000 to get the annual kilowatt-hour consumption. A kilowatt hour (kWh) costs about 20 cents.
Appliances
Many “little helpers” in the kitchen are actually unnecessary, such as the electric can opener or the electric egg cooker. Makes sense than coffee makers and hot water boilers.
Refrigerator
The optimum temperature is seven degrees. Every degree of cooler consumes extra power. If you have a freezer, do not use a freezer compartment in the refrigerator. You can therefore save up to 20 percent energy. The more stars the freezer compartment has, the higher the energy consumption. A two-star refrigerator uses up to 20 percent more electricity than an equally sized refrigerator without a freezer compartment. The device must be defrosted regularly, with an ice layer from one centimeter the energy costs increase unnecessarily. Switching off during the holidays also pays off.
Freezer
A temperature of minus 18 degrees is sufficient. Freezers use about 20 percent less electricity than freezers due to their better insulation and a more favorable design. They must be at least two-thirds full so it pays to have them switched on all year round. If the freezer is half empty, it must cool a large amount of air every time after opening. And one large appliance saves more energy than two small ones. Refrigerators and freezers should not be next to a heating source; The lower the ambient temperature, the lower the power consumption.
Dishwasher
Washing by hand may protect your beautiful glasses, but it takes electricity, water and time. While you use 40 liters of water and two kilowatt hours of electricity for 140 dishes, your dishwasher uses only 10 liters of water and 1.05 kilowatt hours of electricity. Always fully load the machine, do not pre-rinse the dishes, and use the 50-degree program. This saves 30 percent energy compared to the 60-degree program.
Washing machine
Without prewash, your washing machine uses up to 20 percent less electricity and water. Be economical with the temperature: cooking washing requires up to twice as much energy as washing at 60 degrees. For normally soiled laundry it is sufficient 30 ?? or 40 degree program. Always fill your washing machine completely. The energy-saving program reduces your energy consumption by up to 40 percent. You can also do a lot for the environment when drying: a washing line in the sun is the best dryer. A family of four saves 480 kilowatt hours of electricity per year – about 100 euros!
TV and sound system
Give your equipment a break, because it also consumes power in standby mode. In a household of four people, more than 600 kilowatt hours of electricity are wasted in this way, which costs more than 120 euros. Therefore it is better to switch off or unplug immediately.
Heating
70 percent of energy consumption in private households is spent on heating. Reducing the temperature by one degree can save up to 21 percent energy, depending on the construction type. The optimal temperature is 20 degrees in living areas, as well as in the bathroom. In the bedroom 16-17 degrees is sufficient. Keep the doors between the differently heated rooms closed. Do not switch off the heating during the day, as constant reheating and cooling down costs energy. Do not place or hang anything in front of the heater and do not let the heat dissipate through the window: airing for five to ten minutes is more useful than permanently tilting the window.
Water consumption
Rather take a shower instead of a bath! For a full bath (140 to 180 liters) we use three times as much water and energy as for a five-minute shower with a normal water jet. Do not let the water run unnecessarily. For example, turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. Mixers save energy because the water temperature can be regulated more quickly than with two faucets.
Lighting
Party lighting is out of the question. Place the lamps where they are needed, for example above the dining table or desk. Clear or reflective lampshades require less energy. Light walls also help to save energy: for example, a smooth white wall reflects about 80 percent of the light, a dark green wall only 15 percent. Energy-saving lamps are more expensive to buy than conventional incandescent lamps, but they only consume a fifth of the electricity. And that saves hard euros. Although halogen lamps provide twice as bright light as conventional incandescent lamps and do not consume more power, they are not energy-saving lamps.
Savings tips that save the world
Environmental protection does not have to be expensive. In fact, it can even make money. Want to know more, read these simple saving tips that also save the environment.
