Our Ideas for Saving Energy without Sacrifice

With prices continuing to rise, saving energy has become a priority. Heating and electrical appliances have almost become a luxury. But how can you do without them, especially with small children at home? Turning down the thermostat and putting on socks are not the only solutions. Here are a few ways to make sobriety an exciting way of life.

Saving energy through technology

To be energy efficient, a home must be well insulated, regularly ventilated and moderately heated. But what else?

Happy sobriety means first tracking down unnecessary expenditure. So, we've listed some smarter ways to consume. The good news is that most of these innovative devices and everyday tricks do not require major work or excessive costs.

For a sometimes negligible investment, some devices allow you to save money without losing comfort. So, why do without them?

These appliances that reduce your energy bills

○ The connected and intelligent room thermostat allows you to control the heating of your home remotely, using a smartphone. Consumption is therefore targeted as closely as possible to needs (unexpected absence, for example).

○ The eco tap aerator injects air into the water to increase the volume. The result: reduced water consumption and energy savings (hot water). Quickly installed on the shower or sink tap, it costs less than €10 for a simple model. Many variants exist on the market.

○ The central heating heat pump is a more substantial investment, but it will quickly pay for itself thanks to the savings made. And it will increase the property value.

○ Energy-efficient household appliances: look for the green sticker!

Imposed by the European Union in 1992, the regulatory energy label has evolved in 2022. Technology is progressing, and appliances formerly classified as B to G have been banned from sale. This made it difficult to distinguish between the A+, A++ and A+++ classes. These are now replaced by the original A to G ratings for the following appliances: washing machines, dishwashers, TV and computer monitors, fridges and freezers, light bulbs and LEDs.

Good to know: no appliance on the market is yet rated A. The aim is to encourage innovation and the emergence of more energy-efficient products.

The new green labels are easy to spot and classified as A, B or C. Labelling has never been so reliable: keep your eyes open!

Four lesser-known energy-saving tips

You've been told time and time again to put on a fleece jacket at home and to limit the temperature in your bedroom to 16 °C. But did you know about these often overlooked eco-friendly measures that are just as effective at saving gas and electricity?

○ Preheat the water in an electric kettle before cooking the pasta, salt after cooking so as not to delay boiling.

○ Put freezer and fridge in the garage.

○ Reheating food in a microwave oven uses less energy than a conventional oven. But beware of energy-hungry options.

○ Lower the temperature of the hot water to between 55 and 60 °C so as not to need cooling it when washing dishes or showering.

In short, saving energy is possible without emptying your wallet or decreasing your quality of life. Welcome to the new world of proactive and happy sobriety!