Energy saving made easy
Read how you can make a contribution with small changes in the office and at home. Saving resources starts with the most everyday things and with the right know-how, effective savings can be achieved.
Energy-saving tips for the home and office
Heating
Heat correctly and sufficiently in all rooms:
- Keep the radiators clear.
- Bleed the heater regularly (if the model allows this and a square socket is available).
- Attach aluminum insulation mats to the wall behind the heater (available at hardware stores) to reduce heat loss.
- Close shutters and curtains to reduce heat loss.
- Seal draughty windows and front doors.
- Do not completely abandon heating to prevent mold growth (even if you leave the house, set the heating to the lowest level).
Meaning of the stages of the heating controller:
- Level 1: 12 degrees
- Level 2: 16 degrees
- Level 3: 20 degrees
- Level 4: 24 degrees
- Level 5: 28 degrees
It is worth checking the room temperature with a room thermostat. Just 1°C less saves around 6 percent energy.
Ventilate
- During the winter months, air the room 3 to 4 times a day for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Avoid tilting windows (to prevent mold).
- For a particularly rapid exchange of air, you should ventilate crosswise by opening opposite windows or doors.
- Turn off the heating during airing.
Water
- Use cold water when washing your hands.
Lighting
- Replace light bulbs with economical LEDs.
- Only switch on the lighting when it is really needed.
- Remember to switch off the lights when you leave the room - even if only for a short time.
- Unplug lamps with power supply units.
Electronic devices
Hardware:
- Disconnect external devices such as a webcam or printer from the computer when they are not in use.
- Switch off all devices after use. (It is best to use switchable power strips to switch off the devices centrally).
- Unplug the mains adapter/charger from the socket as soon as the charging process is complete.
- Disconnect chargers that are not required from the mains.
- A notebook consumes less energy than a computer.
Software:
- Adjust the computer's energy settings (e.g. screen brightness or automatic switch to energy-saving mode).
- Close unused programs.
- If possible, use a lower resolution (e.g. when streaming).
- Use energy-saving mode and avoid standby mode.
- Switch to power-saving mode even during short breaks.
- Save server capacity where possible (e.g. regularly delete emails, unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters, use hard disk storage instead of cloud storage).
Additional energy-saving tips for the home
Cooling
- Set your refrigerator correctly, 7°C is the ideal temperature.
- Set your freezer compartment correctly, -18°C is the ideal temperature.
- Defrost your fridge regularly. A 5 mm thick layer of ice can increase energy consumption by up to 30%.
- Only open the door for as short a time as necessary.
- Do not put hot food in the fridge, let it cool down first.
Cooking
- Do not preheat the oven.
- Use a lid on pots and pans when cooking.
- Use a kettle to heat water instead of a pot on the stove.
- Clean your kettle regularly; heavy limescale deposits can increase energy consumption by up to 30 percent.
Washing
- Always load the washing machine fully.
- Use an appropriately low dose of detergent.
- Do not pre-wash.
- Wash your laundry at low temperatures and use ECO programs.
- Avoid short wash cycles.
Sinks
- Always load the dishwasher fully.
- Use ECO wash programs.