Save energy. It pays off!
Your energy bill takes up a significant portion of your disposable income. So it's worth considering how you can reduce your energy consumption and get on top of your electricity and heating bills.
There are large fluctuations in the price of electricity. Therefore, the most important saving advice is to keep an eye on current prices and consume when electricity is cheapest - typically late evening, night and early morning. It can be up to 10 times more expensive to run your washing machine or dishwasher during the peak period between 17:00 and 21:00.
Many energy companies have developed apps where you can not only keep track of the current price of electricity, but also see forecasts for price developments.
Turn off the light
There's no reason to leave your lights on when you're not at home, just as there's no reason to leave your lights on anywhere other than where you or your family are staying. A single 60W bulb that burns for five hours a day costs around DKK 200 per year.
Switch to LED bulbs. Not only do they provide better light, but they also use 85 percent less power than incandescent bulbs. On top of that, they last 15-20 times longer.
Fill up the washing machine completely
Use your dishwasher and washing machine to their full potential by filling them to capacity. And turn down the heat. You'll use 10-20% less power if you lower the dishwasher temperature by just 10 degrees. And when washing clothes, skip the boil wash. Clothes, towels and linen get clean at 60 or even 40 degrees.
Use the clothesline when the weather permits. It's free - and your clothes will smell even better.
Expensive data
Digital devices are also part of your energy bill. It's a rather complex question which devices are the most expensive to run. But in short, power consumption follows data consumption. And speed.
You can read more about digital devices and power consumption here: https://www.ewii.dk/privat/el/spar-paa-energien/computer/
Cool cash
The fridge and freezer are cooling 24/7, all year round. That's why it's a good idea to check that both are cooling exactly as much as you need and not one degree less. Your freezer should be at -18- and your fridge at +5 degrees to keep food cool.
See the Danish Energy Agency's estimate of how much electricity your home appliances use in 1 year
Kitchen tricks
There are several small things you can do to be more energy efficient in the kitchen. They may seem insignificant, but consider that you might be cooking more than 300 days a year.
Always use a lid on the pot when heating or bringing something to the boil. This will significantly reduce the heating time.
Do not use more water than necessary when boiling potatoes or other vegetables.
Turn off the hob early and let the potatoes or vegetables rest under a lid in the hot water. This can halve the active cooking time. The most energy-efficient method is the so-called hicasse method.
Take advantage of the oven's heat from the start. Few things require a preheated oven, so you might as well make full use of the energy.
If you're cooking something that requires more than 30 minutes in the oven, you can turn it off 10 minutes early. The reheat will do the rest - and you'll save up to 25 percent of the power you would have otherwise used.
Turn down the heat
Heating your home typically accounts for up to 50 percent of your total energy consumption, so there's every reason to turn down the temperature.
If you lower the room temperature just one degree, you can save up to five percent on your heating consumption in the rooms where you turn it down.
If you can live with the temperature in your home being 2-3 degrees colder when you're under the covers, at work or on vacation, you can save about 10 percent of your heating consumption.
But don't let your frugality get the better of you. If the room temperature drops below 18 degrees, it costs disproportionately much to heat up to a comfortable temperature again. And thus the savings are lost.
