Russia continues to throttle the flow of gas from the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and could stall it altogether at any time. In the meantime, energy costs in Germany are constantly rising – consumers are faced with an enormous additional burden. However, there are a number of ways to save energy in the household and reduce costs with small measures. An overview.
Anticipate the heating cost explosion
Heating isn’t always the dominant issue in the summer. Despite this, many heaters are not on display. “Many operators of heating systems are not really aware that, for example, normal central heating can be switched off in summer,” says Reinhard Loch from the consumer center in North Rhine-Westphalia. This should definitely be checked. The expert also recommends using the summer to examine the heating settings. “Turn on the heating curve, turn on night reduction. These are things that you usually do in autumn, but maybe you can do it now in summer,” he recommends in an interview with ntv.de.
Other simple tips: Do not block the radiator with furniture, as this will impede the even distribution of heat. They should also not become dust collectors, as this reduces performance. Regular ventilation is also important. Because if too much air is stuck in the system, the energy consumption increases. After the air has been released using a bleeder key, the pressure in the heating system should be checked and water refilled if necessary.
Leaky doors and windows, which can cause a noticeable loss of heating, are often underestimated. The tightness can be tested with a trick: Simply clamp a sheet of paper between the frame and the window. If the paper can no longer be pulled out when the window is closed, it is dense enough. In summer, the high temperatures can tempt you to buy an air conditioner – one of the most power guzzlers. With drawn curtains and lowered blinds, the heat can also be blocked out naturally.
Hidden energy guzzlers in everyday life
It sounds banal, but using little tricks when cooking saves energy and therefore money. If the convection function of the oven is used, 15 percent of the energy is saved. The temperature in the refrigerator should be seven degrees – every degree more consumes an additional six percent of electricity. A dishwasher uses 50 percent less energy than washing dishes by hand. And the washing machine should always be fully loaded. In warm weather, it is advisable to air dry your clothes.
In general, an inventory is worthwhile for household appliances. Old washing machines are enormous energy guzzlers, an investment in new devices with an eco-program pays off quickly. The light bulbs should also be checked. LED lamps are more economical and last longer than energy-saving lamps. Of course, it is important to ensure that the light is switched off when it is not absolutely necessary.
Citizens should take shorter showers, says Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck. Such appeals to an individual sense of responsibility can often be heard these days. In order for this to have an impact on gas storage, many people must participate, but the impact on the individual account balance should not be underestimated. With the interactive shower calculator from the consumer advice center, you can determine your own financial savings.
In addition, an economical shower head reduces water consumption by up to 60 percent. You can buy it in the hardware store for around 20 euros. A flow limiter is even cheaper. The little helpers only cost a few euros and are easily attached to the tap. This means that significantly less water is lost. Washing your hands and brushing your teeth with cold water is easy to implement anyway. Further costs can be saved if electronic devices are switched off completely and do not continue to run in stand-by mode overnight.
Check the whole house
In your own home there are various possibilities to save energy in the short term. The energy expert Martin Pehnt recommends a professional gas savings check to identify potential. Heating engineers or chimney sweeps can easily install thermostatic valves. Such a device only allows water to flow through the radiator until the desired temperature is reached.
In addition, inefficient pumps should be identified or the hot water preparation should be optimized, for example with timers and circulation pumps. Pehnt advises consumers to simply equip the radiator niches and heating pipes in unheated rooms with thermal insulation themselves. “All in all, such a gas savings check can save at least ten percent of gas without major investments – and immediately. If you spend a little money, you save even more,” says Pehnt ntv.de.
Insulating your own house is a bit more complex, but extremely efficient. Anyone who has this done by a specialist company for the top floor ceiling or the basement ceiling can have 20 percent of the costs reimbursed by the federal subsidy for efficient buildings.
It is often difficult for an untrained eye to unravel the heating bill and identify energy guzzlers. For this reason, the consumer advice centers offer free advice.