Light is a real power guzzler trap: lighting trick saves a lot of money
Created: 07/28/2022, 3:00 p.m
By: Julian Kaiser
In order not to get scared when looking at the electricity bill, consumers should save energy.
Simple tricks can help - but a trap looms.
NRW – In times of high energy prices, many consumers are concerned about their annual electricity and gas bills.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, some cities have already taken austerity measures and reduced street lighting, among other things.
But even in the household, consumers can save energy and thus costs thanks to simple life hacks.
Consumer Center Federal Association eV | Umbrella organization of the consumer centers organized at state level |
function | consumer protection and advisory services |
founding | November 1, 2000 |
Saving energy in the household: "Simple changes in everyday behavior" make it possible
Saving foxes will probably already know the most common tricks for saving energy.
According to the
consumer
advice center, "very simple changes in everyday behavior" alone can significantly reduce electricity consumption.
Technical devices such as televisions, computers or game consoles in particular should be made more efficient, as they account for "almost 1/3 of the electricity consumption in a household on average".
Standby mode is often a trigger for consumers to get chills when they look at their electricity bill.
Saving energy: if possible, replace old "white" power guzzlers every 10-15 years
Therefore, the following applies here: pull the plug so that the transformer at the socket does not consume electricity unnecessarily, reveals RUHR24.
This trick is not recommended for devices such as freezer compartments or refrigerators, as otherwise the food will spoil.
Thanks to five simple tips, however, the power consumption of the refrigerator can also be reduced.
According to the
consumer advice center
, these household appliances, together with washing machines, where you can save up to 40 euros per week thanks to energy-saving settings, are among the classic electricity guzzlers in the household.
It is sometimes worth buying a new one after about 10-15 years.
Energy saving: lighting causes high electricity bills at the end of the year
The list of measures to save electricity, especially in summer, could go on much longer.
The fact is that lighting in particular "devours a large chunk of annual electricity costs," reports the
Heizsparer portal.
To counteract this, it is worth switching from energy-saving lamps to more economical and longer-lasting LED lamps.
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But anyone who thinks they are already in the Olympus of energy savers after such a change should not underestimate the possible after-effects.
Because, according to the
Federal Environment Agency
, time and again "the technically possible efficiency gains are often not achieved in practice because the product is used more frequently or more intensively".
Saving energy in the home: Consumers should avoid the "rebound effect".
In other words: If you equip your household with LED lamps, you run the risk of letting them shine longer or installing more lamps.
According to
Co2online
, this so-called “rebound” or “boomerang effect” sets in because saved resources “are used elsewhere” “and thus energy consumption can also increase”.
Consumers who are aware of this rebound effect and act accordingly to save electricity can look forward to significantly lower meter readings.
By switching from incandescent and halogen lamps to LED light bulbs, you can "save up to 90 percent of the energy in the lights," reports
Öko-Test.
Consumers can save electricity with simple tricks.
© Michael Gstettenbauer/Imago
Energy saving: Switching from incandescent and halogen lamps to LED lighting recommended
In order to select the right LED lamp, consumers have to say goodbye to the wattage as a criterion for brightness and pay attention to the lumen value.
About 1 watt corresponds to a little more than 10 lumens.
Öko-Test also recommends taking a look at the color temperature (Kelvin) and the color rendering index (Ra).
In order to keep the electricity bill as low as possible at the end of the year, the light should always be switched off when it is not needed.
Despite the elimination of the EEG levy on July 1st to relieve consumers, one should be aware of the power consumption and save energy in the household wherever possible - especially with regard to the gas and electricity supply in winter.
