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If you set your fridge correctly, you can save a lot of energy. (symbolic image)
Lino Mirgeler/dpa
Heating on too high, freezer compartment iced up or stand-by power guzzler in the living room: small negligence can massively increase household energy costs.
Room heating remains the biggest item on the energy cost list. According to analyses, just one degree less room temperature saves up to ten percent energy. The ideal temperature is 20°C in the living room and 18°C in the bedroom.
If the heating is set to 23°C, the bill is unnecessarily high. It is also important that radiators are positioned freely - furniture, curtains or laundry should not block them.
Energy is also often wasted when ventilating. Permanently tilted windows cool the walls and draw the heat away. It is more efficient to ventilate several times a day. This ensures that the air is exchanged quickly without the room cooling down.
Refrigerators account for up to a quarter of household electricity consumption. A thin layer of ice in the freezer compartment already increases consumption by 15 percent. Regular defrosting therefore saves money. The same applies: do not leave the fridge doors open for long periods and only put warm food in when it has cooled down.
The optimum refrigerator temperature is 7°C. Replacing an old appliance with an efficiency class A model can massively reduce electricity consumption.
Many recipes call for preheating the oven, but this is often unnecessary. Studies show that preheating a pan or microwave requires up to seven times less energy than the oven. If you preheat the oven, you should only do so if it is expressly necessary, for example for delicate pastries. Otherwise, you can put the food in the cold oven and allow for a slightly longer cooking time.
If you need to heat water: Kettles are more efficient than hobs.
A simple trick also saves money: put the lid on the pot. This keeps the heat in the pot and the food cooks faster.
Many appliances consume electricity even when they are switched off - in stand-by mode. Televisions, computers, coffee machines or charging stations add up to considerable additional costs. This can be remedied by switching off power strips that completely disconnect appliances from the mains.
Old electrical appliances are also real power guzzlers. If you get rid of appliances that are more than 20 years old, you will save money and nerves in the long term.
Halogen and incandescent lamps consume up to five times more electricity than LEDs. If you switch, you can save up to 80 percent electricity. Modern LED lights are long-lasting and available in many light colors.
The simple rule also applies: light only where it is needed. Motion detectors in the hallway or basement prevent lamps from being left on for unnecessarily long periods.
Hot water costs energy, so it is worth using it sparingly. Experts recommend showering instead of bathing and turning off the tap when soaping up, washing your hair or brushing your teeth. Shower heads and taps with low-flow nozzles reduce consumption by up to 50 percent.
In addition, you should only use hot water when it is really necessary. Cold or lukewarm water is often sufficient for washing up in the sink, especially if greasy dishes have been wiped with kitchen paper beforehand.
Dishwashers and washing machines save energy when they are fully loaded and the Eco program is used. Dishes often do not need to be pre-rinsed; removing coarse residues is sufficient.
Modern washing machines clean laundry thoroughly even at 30 °C, and a high spin speed shortens the drying time. Omitting the dryer altogether also saves electricity.
Dishwashers should be cleaned regularly and occasionally run at 65 °C to remove grease residues. And here too, an old appliance can be a silent power guzzler. Anyone buying a new model should look out for efficiency class A.
