24 February 2022 has deeply shaken at least Europe, if not the whole world. Russia's attack on Ukraine caused particular suffering for the local population, but we in Germany also had to deal with the consequences. Energy crisis and inflation - these issues took centre stage in 2022. Not only when shopping or at the petrol station, but also for gas, oil and electricity, we will have to prepare for significantly higher costs in the near future.
There have been many tips recently on how to reduce heating costs: Don't turn up the heating so much and only heat the rooms that are actually used. Don't leave the windows ajar and use a flannel from time to time. Many people have internalised this advice. But there are even more ways to avoid unnecessary household costs.
Find power guzzlers
Nobody can do without some electronic appliances, such as an instantaneous water heater for hot water. If you wash your hands or run a hot bath, you can watch the numbers on the electricity meter tick by faster than a one-armed bandit in Las Vegas. Instantaneous water heaters are among the biggest electricity guzzlers in the household, so it is advisable to use them wisely. Do I really need hot water or will cold water do? Do I need to take a bath several times a week or can I just jump in the shower? In the long term, this can greatly reduce electricity costs.
Similarly indispensable and expensive is the refrigerator, which can account for 20 per cent of total electricity consumption. The older the appliance, the higher the consumption, for example because the seals have become porous. If a refrigerator is ten years old or more, it is therefore worth considering a new appliance. Although you will have to pay the initial purchase costs, this will reduce your electricity bill. As with other electronics, you should pay attention to the energy efficiency class when buying.
You can also save a lot of money in the rest of your home. Unplug charging cables or other devices when you are not using them - they continue to consume electricity even when switched off. And pay attention to how old your devices are here too. But be careful: new computers or televisions in particular are not only powerful, but also hungry for electricity. It's worth taking a look at the energy efficiency here too, unless it has to be a top-of-the-range appliance.
Don't just look after your own four walls
In houses with several parties, costs can arise that the landlord passes on to his tenants. In broad daylight, you can easily do without the light in the stairwell, even if it has become an automatic feature for many. Another issue that often concerns us as property managers is waste disposal. We see time and again that tenants do not dispose of their rubbish properly, especially bulky waste. Additional disposal is then necessary, which can quickly become expensive if done regularly.
However, there are also factors over which tenants have little influence. For example, when it comes to tradesmen's services or maintenance. The shortage of skilled workers really isn't doing us any favours here. But there are also regional differences: our tenants in rural areas often benefit from significantly lower costs for house cleaning, maintenance or winter services. Even the prices for water, waste water and waste disposal are usually much lower than in large cities. So if you're thinking about a change of scenery anyway, you can save money by moving to a rural area.
Tip
Unfortunately, in times of rising prices, it is often necessary to step out of one's comfort zone and get rid of habits. Instead of letting our appliances and heating systems run carelessly, we should use them consciously. Then not only our wallets will thank us, but also the environment.
