How to reduce energy consumption and costs

The energy crisis is a major challenge. The current situation requires swift action in the coming winter months - especially with regard to the expected gas shortage. With many little tricks, electricity and heating costs can be reduced by over a thousand euros a year.

How the gas crisis and the energy supply could develop in the coming weeks and months has been investigated by the Institute for Business and Technology Management (IBT) at the Environmental Campus Birkenfeld. The results show that immediate measures are needed to maintain security of supply in the coming months.

Methods for saving energy are currently being worked on in many places. The new website "Energy Crisis Pilot" shows how to save energy and reduce costs in the short to long term with small and large steps. More than 100 tips deal with saving heating energy and electricity, the energy-efficient use of buildings and sustainable mobility: www.kea-bw.de/energiekrisen-lotse.

Stiftung Warentest recommends saving where you consume the most - in the shower and in heating. With an energy-saving shower head, a family of three can save 707 euros a year. Programmable thermostats help save heating costs. They reduce the temperature at night or when no one is at home. By temporarily lowering the temperature by four degrees, seven percent of heating costs are saved. More savings tips are available online at www.test.de/energiesparen.

If the heating is turned down by just one degree, residents can save up to six percent on heating costs. When airing, the following applies: cross-ventilate for a few minutes several times a day and avoid tilt ventilation at all costs.

To save heating costs, you can carry out small measures yourself. For example, seal old, draughty windows with plastic profiles, sealing tape or self-adhesive foam tape, lower the blinds at night and put reflective foil behind the radiators. Hydraulic balancing of the heating system by experts is also worthwhile.

(Photo: © Pasja1000, Pixabay)