Top tips against hidden energy destroyers: This is how you easily save on electricity

It’s worth combining the plugs of electrical appliances into a strip with a switch,” says Bürgi. “This way, multiple appliances can be conveniently turned off at the same time when they are not needed.” And this also applies: those who rely on LED lamps are much more likely to light up with energy-saving lamps, bulbs or halogen lamps. they live more productively.

According to “Energie Schweiz”, an average two-person household in Switzerland consumes about 2190 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Heat pumps are particularly energy intensive. Houses heated in this way consume half of the electricity. In an average home, 33 percent of electricity is used to produce hot water. But household appliances are also important: The tumble dryer and washing machine are among the top energy consumers in any home, consuming up to 325 kilowatt-hours per year.

“You should avoid short programs when washing and choose the economy program instead,” advises Bürgi. In this way, you use less water and electricity. Electric traps are also hidden in the drying process of the dryer: Many models spin the laundry inside the machine even after the program is over to prevent creasing, thus consuming more energy. For this reason, it is recommended to remove the laundry from the dryer immediately after the program ends. If you want to act even more ecologically and economically, you can leave your laundry to dry in the fresh air.

Since the freezer and refrigerator are constantly running, they make up about 12 percent of the average home’s energy consumption. Make sure to leave the freezer door open for as little time as possible and always close it properly. This means that less air enters the cooler, which then needs to be cooled again. You can also save money by placing your refrigerator correctly. If possible, do not put the refrigerator near the stove or in a sunny location, so it uses less energy.

Bürgi says that energy efficiency is especially important in the kitchen: “Every ceiling needs a lid for the best use of energy.” Also avoid preheating the oven and use the remaining heat during the last five minutes of cooking. “According to Energie Schweiz, this results in energy savings of up to 20 percent. Instead of removing thawed food directly from the freezer, you can cool the inside of the refrigerator and store it in the refrigerator for a short time. German Federal Minister of Economy and Energy Robert Habeck gave a very unusual tip to the German news magazine “Spiegel”: “If you heat the apartment in the evening and draw the curtains, you can save up to 5 percent of energy.”

“Especially older appliances with poor energy efficiency are hidden power consumers,” Bürgi says. However, you should be careful when changing it. For this reason, it is essential to pay attention to the energy label of the device when buying a new washing machine or dishwasher.