Joshua Jahn from the Brandenburg Consumer Center (VZB) explains how energy can be saved during this time.
Potential savings on Christmas lights
For many consumers, festive lighting in the interior and on the house facade is part of the Christmas season. However, the permanent and large-scale use of appropriate lighting increases electricity costs. So that there are no unpleasant surprises on your electricity bill after Christmas, it is recommended to consistently use LED fairy lights. “LED lights save around 90 percent of the electricity compared to old incandescent or halogen lamps – with a significantly longer lifespan,” says the expert. If you are not sure what type of light bulb you are using, you can find out relatively easily by looking at the temperature. “If the string of lights gets very hot, they are most likely old light bulbs,” explains Jahn.
An old string of lights with incandescent lamps costs around 4 euros in electricity costs over four weeks. Using an LED light chain, on the other hand, only costs around 40 cents in the same period of time. There is further potential for savings in using electricity from the socket, as battery power is up to three hundred times more expensive. It also saves energy to switch off the lights using a timer or timer when you are away and at night. “The most energy-saving way is of course to avoid Christmas lights, because the cheapest energy is the energy that is not used,” says the expert.
Energy efficient baking and cooking
You can also save a lot of energy in the kitchen during the festive season. For example, if you bake your cookies using convection instead of top or bottom heat, you save 20 to 30 percent energy. “In addition, it is much more efficient to bake several baking trays one after the other in one day than to heat the oven again and again on different days,” explains Jahn. When putting together your Christmas menu, it is also advisable to pay attention to possible energy consumption and sustainability. A plant-based Christmas menu uses significantly less energy and resources to produce and prepare than, for example, a menu with a Christmas goose that cooks in the oven for several hours.
Get independent advice
If you have any questions about saving energy, please call 0331 – 98 22 999 5 (Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to make an appointment for a free telephone or video consultation. Further information is available at www.verbraucherzentrale-brandenburg.de/energie/energiesparberatung-15772 . The consumer advice center also offers a variety of free online lectures on the subject of energy in winter. The events can be found here: Web seminars | Brandenburg Consumer Center (consumerzentrale-brandenburg.de)
About the consumer advice center's energy advice
The consumer advice center's federal funding for energy advice offers the largest independent range of advice on the subject of energy in Germany. Since 1978, it has been supporting private consumers towards an energy-conscious future with currently over 900 energy consultants and at more than 900 locations. Every year, more than 150,000 households receive independent and neutral advice on all energy topics, such as energy saving, thermal insulation, modern heating technology and renewable energies. Federal funding for energy advice from the consumer advice center is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection
About the Consumer Center Brandenburg eV
The Consumer Center Brandenburg eV (VZB) is the most important representation of the interests of Brandenburg consumers towards business and politics. It offers independent consumer advice, information and education on numerous topics: market & law, travel & leisure, finance & insurance, food & nutrition, digital & telecommunications, energy, building & living. She also advises on German-Polish consumer law. In addition, the VZB warns companies that violate applicable law to the detriment of consumers and educates the public about consumer rights, rip-off scams and savings tips.
Also read: Pop-Its not suitable for making Christmas treats
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