Renovation is often expensive, but can be worthwhile when selling the property due to a higher purchase price. It depends on the individual case and should be assessed in advance by a professional.
Declare war on power guzzlers
If you want to reduce your energy costs, there's no way around saving electricity. Two factors are primarily responsible for high energy consumption: On the one hand, there are household appliances that draw power continuously, such as refrigerators and freezers, but also appliances that operate in standby mode. Secondly, old appliances that are still energy inefficient are major power guzzlers.
Permanent electricity consumption
Energy experts recommend being more conscious of electricity consumption, even if it means sacrificing a little convenience. They advise switching standby devices off completely or, where this is not possible, disconnecting them from the power supply. You can do this by pulling the plug or using multiple sockets with toggle switches that you switch off when you are not using the appliances. This is particularly useful at night.
For appliances that need to be plugged in all the time, like fridges and freezers, you should check if they really need to be set as cold as they are. For most foods, 8 degrees Celsius is sufficient. These appliances also consume more electricity when they are icy. Regular defrosting is therefore advisable.
Another thing that is often overlooked is that many appliances continue to draw electricity as long as they are plugged in, even though they do not have a standby mode. This can be the case with electric shavers or drills, for example. Chargers also continue to draw electricity even when no smartphone is connected.
High power consumption due to old appliances
Since outdated appliances usually do not have modern, good energy efficiency, experts advise replacing them gradually. This can save a lot of electricity costs in the long run. At the same time, when buying new appliances, you should look for energy-saving labels and a high energy efficiency rating, such as A+++.
Electricity costs can also be reduced when cooking. An induction or gas stove consumes the least energy. With an electric stove, the hotplates can be switched off earlier, as you can continue cooking for longer using the residual heat.
Tumble dryers are also real power guzzlers. Drying your laundry on a clothesline or drying rack can make a noticeable difference to your wallet.
Would you like to know how energy-efficient renovations can affect the value of your property? Contact us! We will be happy to advise you.
Notes
For reasons of better readability, the generic masculine form is used in this text. Female and other gender identities are expressly included insofar as this is necessary for the statement.
Legal notice: This article does not constitute tax or legal advice in individual cases. Please consult a lawyer and/or tax advisor to clarify the facts of your specific case.
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