SAVING ELECTRICITY MADE EASY

Checklist

6+1 MINI CHECKS EVERYONE KNOWS

Has your electricity bill left you speechless yet again? You’re not alone – it happens to many people. Especially at the moment, as we’re all spending much more time at home and, in some cases, have been working from home for months, racking up energy costs. And usually, the bill is paid without a fuss, then filed away – out of sight, out of mind. Yet it can be quite simple to soften the annual blow from your energy supplier.

Electricity check made easy: we’ve put together 6 + 1 everyday tips for saving electricity for you. Everyone knows them, everyone has made a resolution to do all this before, and everyone has thrown those good intentions overboard more than once. That’s why it certainly doesn’t hurt to be reminded of them again!

1. THE ENERGY RATING CHECK

This applies particularly when buying new appliances with a view to saving electricity. Energy-efficient appliances (from class A+ upwards) may be slightly more expensive to buy, but the costs are recouped very quickly over the course of their use. If your appliances are old but not yet broken, it is worth doing the maths to see whether buying a new one is actually worthwhile. From an environmental perspective, it is not always a good idea to throw away appliances that still work, especially if they are not easy to dispose of. Note: From September 2021, a new EU regulation will come into force, making it even easier for consumers to quickly and accurately identify the energy efficiency of an appliance!

2. THE STANDBY CHECK

Save electricity – and not just before setting off on holiday. Electrical appliances consume electricity even when switched off, provided they remain connected to the mains (socket). They are effectively power guzzlers without doing anything in return. Sockets with switches can help here, but we must be consistent in using them! Unplug and switch off anything that isn’t needed. Chargers that are constantly plugged in are a classic example. TVs and sound systems that show they’re using power at night simply through their standby lamps. Another underestimated guzzler: Wi-Fi. Do we need it at night? Usually not. A timer on the router is the simplest solution to at least switch that off. There are also sockets with timers, but this needs careful consideration, because who wants the TV to suddenly switch off in the middle of a Netflix or gaming night?!

3. THE WASHING MACHINE AND DRYER CHECK

The tumble dryer is one of the household appliances with the highest energy consumption; we should always bear this in mind. Especially in summer, there are often plenty of other ways to dry laundry, and sometimes these are just as quick as using the tumble dryer. It’s hard to imagine life without a washing machine, even though it’s a real power guzzler. However, there are now plenty of excellent machines available that use a minimum of energy and water. Nevertheless, we can still make sure to only run the machine when it’s full and avoid unnecessary pre-wash cycles or rinse cycles. Saving electricity in this way not only helps your wallet but also the environment.

4. CHECKING YOUR FRIDGE AND FREEZER

For every 5mm layer of ice, the appliances’ energy consumption increases by around 30%. Need we say any more? To all of you who’ve just rushed to the fridge with a guilty conscience – you’re not alone! In this case, small things really do add up! So, just check a few times a year to see if defrosting is needed. Often, this also helps you get an overview of what food is actually still hidden away in the furthest corner! Incidentally, a full fridge uses significantly less energy than an empty one! So keeping the fridge as empty as possible isn’t always the best solution!

5. LIGHTING AND LIGHT SOURCES CHECK

The right lighting creates mood and atmosphere, that much is true. Nevertheless, we should make the most of natural daylight at home for as long as possible and avoid switching lights on unnecessarily. This not only reduces electricity consumption but is also beneficial to our health and state of mind. Natural daylight and, above all, the day/night cycle are very important for our internal clock and biorhythm! If artificial light is essential, make sure you choose the right kind! Economical and energy-efficient. And nowadays, this no longer means dull light and unattractive light sources, such as energy-saving light sources. Modern LED light sources are now at the forefront, offering savings of up to 90% compared to conventional incandescent bulbs. They are unbeatable, particularly when it comes to lifespan. When it comes to light quality, technology (such as dimmability or smart home solutions) and design, LED light sources have now advanced to such an extent that nobody needs to miss the old incandescent bulbs! So make saving electricity part of your design considerations too. In the SEGULA online shop, you’ll find a huge selection of energy-efficient and attractive LED light sources for every purpose and preference.

6. CHECKING YOUR CONSUMPTION AND SUPPLIERS

It makes sense to check the meter reading from time to time and monitor your consumption. When do we use a lot, and when do we use little? Do we have new appliances, and is this already noticeable? Season, month and even time of day can be seen, highlighting potential savings. For many, the biggest hurdle is probably still checking providers and, if necessary, switching if appropriate. This is where laziness, uncertainty and ignorance usually kick in. But comparing prices among local, regional and national providers can sometimes save hundreds of euros on electricity! And not necessarily by switching. Sometimes a simple phone call to the provider asking for a better tariff is enough. The threat of cancellation can also work wonders. If you do end up switching, in most cases the new supplier will take care of everything that needs doing, as they want to retain new customers and keep them happy. A little tip on the side: the local supplier’s standard tariff is ALMOST ALWAYS the most expensive.

THAT +

We said 6+1…

The + is pretty simple. Get out there! The more time we spend outdoors, the less energy we need at home… Even during these tough times of the coronavirus lockdown. It’s actually even more important now to get out, go for a walk, cycle and get some exercise in the fresh air. That saves electricity at home and recharges our batteries, especially mentally and emotionally.