Energy Consumption: Small Habits, Real Savings
Most people think about energy use when a utility bill arrives. In reality, a few simple habits throughout the year can make a noticeable difference to your energy consumption without any sacrifice in comfort.
The good news is that the biggest opportunities often come from the easiest changes. Small adjustments to heating, cooling, appliances, and everyday routines can reduce energy use, extend the life of equipment, and help your home operate more efficiently.
The goal isn't to be less comfortable, but to use energy more effectively.
🌡 Heating & Cooling: The Biggest Opportunity
For most households, heating and cooling account for the largest share of energy consumption.
Modern radiant underfloor heating and cooling systems are designed to work gradually and efficiently. Unlike traditional radiators or space heaters, they perform best when maintaining a steady, moderate temperature rather than being constantly adjusted up and down.
Many people assume that setting a thermostat to an extreme temperature will heat or cool a room faster. In reality, most systems don't work that way. Instead, it simply causes the system to run longer and use more energy.
A temperature of approximately 20–21°C is comfortable for many people and is often significantly more efficient than maintaining temperatures several degrees higher or lower.
Consistency is usually more effective than extremes.
When heating with traditional radiators, a moderate temperature is still advisable from an energy perspective and then controlling the amount of heat in the room through opening the radiator more or less with the nozzle.
🚪 Don't Heat or Cool Rooms You Aren't Using
Not every room needs to be maintained at the same temperature.
Consider reducing temperatures and turning down radiators in:
Spare bedrooms
Storage rooms
Hallways
Guest bathrooms
Even a modest reduction in rarely used spaces can contribute to meaningful energy savings over time.
☀️ Use the Building Before Using the System
One of the easiest ways to reduce cooling demand is to prevent heat from entering the apartment in the first place.
Before lowering thermostat settings:
Close blinds or curtains during sunny periods
Lower exterior shutters where available
Reduce direct sunlight entering the apartment
Keeping the sun outside is often the simplest and least expensive cooling strategy available.
Similarly, during colder months, opening curtains during sunny hours can allow natural solar warmth to enter the apartment.
🚪 Keep Temperatures Where They Belong
When one room is being cooled and another remains warm, keeping doors closed can help both spaces maintain their intended temperature.
Allowing conditioned air to constantly move between rooms often makes heating and cooling systems work harder than necessary.
This is particularly true in apartments with underfloor heating or cooling systems.
🧺 Laundry & Dishwashing
Modern appliances are remarkably efficient, especially when used properly.
Whenever possible:
Run full loads rather than partial loads
Use Eco programs when available
Wash at lower temperatures when appropriate
Avoid running appliances unnecessarily during the hottest part of the day
Eco settings often reduce both electricity and water consumption while delivering nearly identical results.
Taking care of your appliances also makes a huge difference in letting them run efficiently. If they’re running with limescale buildup or extra grime, they’re often using more energy to overcome those inefficiencies, or you’re then using more water and energy to do extra rinsing and cleaning. Check out the rest of our Home Care Articles for more tips on individual appliances.
🧊 Refrigerator & Freezer Efficiency
Colder is not always better.
Most refrigerators perform best at approximately:
4°C for the refrigerator compartment
-18°C for the freezer
Setting temperatures colder than necessary generally increases energy use without providing meaningful benefits. The appliance must work harder, generating additional waste heat while consuming more electricity.
A few additional habits can help:
Avoid leaving doors open longer than necessary
Allow hot food to cool before refrigerating
Keep air circulation paths inside the refrigerator clear (typically this means not overfilling or pushing things against the backs and sides)
Regularly clean door seals and ensure they close properly
Defrost the freezer regularly
📺 Electronics & Standby Power
Many electronic devices continue consuming power even when they're not actively being used.
Consider:
Turning televisions off completely rather than leaving them on standby
Turning off monitors when not in use
Reducing screen brightness where practical
Unplugging chargers that are not actively charging a device
Disconnecting small appliances that are rarely used
Each individual device may use only a small amount of electricity, but the combined effect can add up over time, especially when plugged in but not in use.
💡 Lighting
LED lighting is highly efficient, but good habits still matter.
Simple ways to reduce unnecessary consumption include:
Turning lights off when leaving a room
Taking advantage of natural daylight whenever possible
Keeping lamps and fixtures clean to maximize brightness
These small habits cost nothing and can become second nature very quickly.
🚿 Hot Water: The Often-Forgotten Utility
Hot water is one of the largest hidden energy consumers in most homes.
Every litre of hot water requires both water and energy.
Simple ways to reduce consumption include:
Taking slightly shorter showers
Avoiding unnecessary hot water use
Fixing dripping hot-water taps
When washing dishes by hand, using warm rather than hot water
Running dishwashers and washing machines with full loads (many heat their own water on use but that is still energy consuming).
Small reductions in hot water use can have a surprisingly large impact.
🌬 Fresh Air Without Wasting Energy
Good ventilation is important for comfort, air quality, and preventing moisture-related issues.
However, timing matters.
Rather than leaving windows open for extended periods:
Open windows fully for a few minutes
Create cross-ventilation where possible
Refresh the air quickly and thoroughly, particularly when outdoor temperatures are much higher or lower than indoor temperatures.
Close windows again once fresh air has circulated
This approach provides fresh air while minimizing unnecessary heat loss in winter or heat gain in summer.
⚠️ Space Heaters: Use Carefully
Portable electric space heaters are among the most energy-intensive appliances commonly used in apartments.
While they can be useful in specific situations, they should generally be considered a temporary solution rather than a primary heating source.
If your apartment already has a heating system operating, adding a space heater on top of it can significantly increase electricity consumption.
Before plugging in additional heaters, consider whether adjusting your existing heating system might achieve the same result more efficiently.
In winter, consider wearing thicker pajamas and slippers, using winter-style duvets and extra blankets, and just generally appreciating that dressing a bit warmer inside allows you to use less heat.
💡 Why This Matters
Energy efficiency isn't about making your home less comfortable.
In many cases, the most efficient homes are also the most comfortable:
More consistent temperatures
Better air quality
Less strain on appliances and building systems
Lower utility costs
Reduced environmental impact
Small habits, repeated consistently, often have a much larger effect than people expect.
A little awareness today can lead to greater comfort, lower costs, and a home that performs better all year long.