Saving energy in autumn: tips for a sustainable and warm season
Autumn not only brings colourful leaves and cooler days, but also the time when we start to consume more energy again - be it through heating, lighting up the evenings that get darker earlier or using household appliances. However, this transitional period in particular offers a wide range of opportunities to save energy while maintaining a pleasant living environment. Here are some effective tips on how you can save energy sustainably in autumn.
1. Optimise heating settings
As autumn approaches, many people start to switch their heating on again. But there is a lot of potential for savings without having to sacrifice comfort.
Adjust the room temperature: Lower the room temperature slightly - just one degree less saves up to 6% on heating costs. Around 20°C is sufficient for living rooms, while 17-18°C is often enough for bedrooms.
Bleed radiators: Radiators are often no longer fully functional after months without use as air collects in them. Briefly bleeding the air helps the heating to work more efficiently.
Use night setback: Modern heating systems offer a night setback function. Set your heating so that it lowers the temperature slightly at night when everyone is asleep. This saves energy without you having to freeze.
2. Ventilate properly
In the colder months of the year, ventilation is often incorrect, which can lead to high energy losses. Instead of leaving windows tilted open for hours on end, it is more effective to ventilate in bursts. Open the windows completely for around five to ten minutes to exchange the air without cooling down the rooms. This keeps the heat in the furniture and walls and avoids high energy losses.
3. Check insulation and sealing
Cold draughts through leaky windows or doors can be a real energy guzzler in autumn. So check your window and door seals. Small gaps can be sealed quickly and cheaply with sealing tape. This will prevent heat from escaping and ensure that heating costs remain low.
4. Utilise solar radiation
There are also sunny days in autumn - and you should make the most of them. Open the curtains or blinds during the day and let the sun's rays into the rooms. The natural warmth of the sun can help to heat the rooms so that you can turn the heating down a little. In the evening, close the curtains again to keep the heat inside.
5. Conscious use of light
In autumn, the days get shorter and we switch on the lights more often. A conscious approach to lighting saves energy and is easy on the wallet.
Energy-saving light sources: If you are not yet using LED lamps, now is the right time to make the switch. LEDs consume up to 90% less energy than conventional light bulbs and last significantly longer.
Use light sources selectively: Instead of switching on lights everywhere in the house, concentrate on the areas where you are currently spending time. Use floor or table lamps for cosy, targeted light.
6. Use the kitchen and household energy efficiently
Autumn is also the time for cosy cooking and baking sessions. However, energy can also be saved in the process:
Put a lid on the pot: When cooking, you should always put a lid on the pot to keep the heat in and reduce the cooking time. This not only saves energy, but also time.
Use the oven sensibly: Use the residual heat of the oven by switching it off a few minutes before the end of the baking time. In addition, preheating is often not necessary - many dishes are successful without it.
Kettle instead of hob: Heat water, for example for tea or cooking, in a kettle rather than on the hob. This is not only quicker, but also saves energy.
7. Energy-saving mode on appliances
Many household appliances such as televisions, computers and printers have an energy-saving mode. Use this and switch off appliances completely when you don't need them instead of leaving them on standby. A power strip that can be switched off can help to disconnect several devices from the power supply at once.
Conclusion: Small changes with a big impact
Saving energy in autumn doesn't have to be complicated or unpleasant. Small changes in behaviour are often enough to significantly reduce energy consumption, protect the environment and reduce heating and electricity costs at the same time. By being aware of how you use energy, you can enjoy the cooler days and still get through autumn sustainably and efficiently.
