If you’ve recently moved to Germany, managing your energy bills might seem complicated. With various providers and energy-saving methods, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. However, a simple hack could help you cut your energy bill by up to 35 percent, and the secret lies in how you manage your energy consumption.
Understanding Germany’s energy market
Germany’s energy market can be complex, and this often results in expats paying more for their energy than they need to. While it’s true that electricity prices are high in Germany, there are great savings to be made by being smart with your energy supply and usage.
Many expats tend to stick with default providers, simply because it is more convenient. However, these providers often place you on fixed-rate contracts with added fees that don’t necessarily reflect your actual energy usage. This can lead to you consuming energy unnecessarily - with the mindset that it’s already paid for, anyway. Put another way, you could be paying for more energy than you actually need.
While switching providers or tariffs can help, the real savings come from actively managing and monitoring your energy consumption, and optimising it for the contract you’re on. This way you can significantly reduce your costs without needing to drastically change your lifestyle. This approach is particularly helpful for renters who may not have the option to make structural changes to their homes.
The 35 percent savings hack: Optimising your energy usage
Here’s where you can start saving up to 35 percent on your energy bill - by optimising your energy usage. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Start monitoring your energy consumption
The first step to savings is to start tracking your energy consumption. Many modern energy providers, including Ostrom, offer tools like smart meters and apps that let you monitor your energy usage. These apps provide transparency, showing you exactly where your energy is going.
This will help you track how much energy you use, what the biggest “energy guzzlers” in your household are, where you can cut back, and where you can make small changes to kickstart big savings!
Step 2: Start making small changes to reduce your energy usage
Armed with this knowledge, you can now start making some small changes to reduce your energy usage. For example, if you notice that certain appliances are using energy unnecessarily during the day, you can adjust their settings or change how often or when you use them.
On top of this, it’s worth investing in some energy-saving devices. Many people don’t realise how much energy they can save by making some small changes. Simple actions like using energy-efficient bulbs, smart plugs, eco or efficient cycles on appliances, and setting timers on heating systems can drastically reduce consumption. Monitoring this through an app can give you a clear idea of which devices consume the most energy, and how small changes can reduce your costs.
By understanding your energy consumption in detail, you can adjust small habits that add up to big savings.
Step 3: Get smart with your energy consumption
With some small energy-saving strategies in place, you can now boost your savings with some smart hacks:
- Use appliances during off-peak hours: If you have a smart meter with a dynamic tariff, you can benefit from lower energy costs during certain times of the day. Run your washing machine or dishwasher during these times to save on costs. If your energy provider doesn’t offer a dynamic tariff, consider switching to one that does.
- Turn off appliances when not in use: This might sound simple, but many people forget to unplug or turn off devices that consume energy even in standby mode.
- Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances: If you have the option, replacing old appliances with energy-efficient models can result in significant savings over time.
- Monitor heating and cooling: Adjusting your thermostat by just a few degrees can make a big difference in your energy consumption, especially during the colder months.
Start optimising your energy today
Cutting your energy bill by 35 percent isn’t just about switching providers - though that could help - it’s about getting smart with how you use energy. By optimising your energy consumption through smart tracking, adjusting habits, and using real-time data, you can take control of your energy usage and make meaningful savings each month.
Whether you’re new to Germany or have been here for years, making small changes to how you manage your energy can lead to big results.