In total, your electric household appliances contribute significantly to overall energy consumption (see Hit list of energy guzzlers). When you purchase electric appliances, observe the energy label, which identifies the appliance as an energy saver (green) or energy guzzler (red). Today energy-wasting appliances are hardly cheaper, but prove noticeable on your electric bill.

Refrigeration and freezing

• This consumes much energy. 
• If you have a freezer chest, you do not need a freezer combination with your refrigerator. 
• The energy requirement of such appliances is one fifth less. 
• Circulation and no-frost systems in modern refrigeration appliances avoid defrosting, but require about one third more power. 
• Replace defective seals; they allow warm air in that has to be cooled.
• Cool hot foods before you put them in the refrigerator.

Cooking and baking

• For warming small portions, a microwave oven is more energy-efficient than a range. 
• Ceramic or induction ranges in combination with the right pots clearly save energy. 
• A circulation oven can be operated at low temperatures and need not be pre-warmed. You can cook on several levels simultaneously. 
• Match pots to the size of the range eye (even and clean floor for good heat transfer) 
• You should always use a lid to save up to two thirds of energy. 
• For longer cooking times, use a pressure cooker.
• Use remaining heat on electric ranges.

Dishwasher

• Only energy-saving and fully loaded dish washers really consume less energy than hand washing. 
• The less water a dishwasher requires, the better (heating the water requires energy that is rinsed away). 
• Wash smaller amounts of dishes by hand, but never under running water.

Washing and drying

• As a rule of thumb, less water consumption means less heating energy. 
• Choose low-temperature washing programs when possible.
• The energy label provides information about spinning and water consumption. 
• If you use a dryer, then the washing machine should spin at over 1000 rpm. 
• Combination of washing machine and dryer is not recommended. 
• If water is heated via a solar system, then the washing machine should be connected to the hot water installation to increase the overall utilization of the system and utilize excess hot water in the summer. Washing machines are available on the market with a hot water connection (saves up to 500 kWh/year). For washing machines with only cold water connection, you need a preliminary device.

Lighting

• In the planning of your house, integrate natural light.
• Design windows to times and type of utilization of rooms. 
• Locate switches at convenient places.
• Automatic switching systems can help save energy. 
• Use of energy-saving lamps or neon lamps makes sense wherever lights are not continuously turned on and off. 
• Always turn off incandescent bulbs when they are not needed. 
• Halogen lamps are more energy-saving than incandescent bulbs, but have additional losses due to transformers.

Entertainment, small appliances, business equipment

• In total, stand-by operation of electric/electronic appliances consumes considerable power. 
• On average you pay about 50 euro annually for stand-by mode. 
• Therefore turn off completely or pull the plug.

Central vacuum cleaner

A particular type of electric household appliance is a central vacuum system. A hose system is installed for the entire house, while the central vacuum unit is located outside the direct living area. At the connection points in each room, you can insert a vacuum hose. If you want such a system, plan it from the start. It has advantages:

• Dust is removed rather than spread. 
• Vacuuming is easier because less microdust accumulates on furniture. 
•  It is much quieter than conventional vacuum cleaners.
• You need not carry the vacuum cleaner through the house.

Discover the lurking energy guzzlers in the Walking tour through a household.