Given that the electricity prices are soaring in Norway (and in most of Europe), here are some tips which might help you reduce your electricity usage.
- Choose your electricity provider wisely
- Be aware of extra unnecessary costs added to your electricity bill. Choose providers with little or no added costs.
- Monitor the hourly electricity rate and your electricity usage
- Several electricity companies have apps where you can monitor your electricity usage
- You can opt to install a pulse machine to your electricity meter to measure exactly how much electricity you are using at any time.
- Charge your electric car when the electricity is the cheapest
- Reduce indoor temperature by 1 deg C
- By reducing the temperature of your heat pump or the bathroom underfloor heating by 1 or a few deg C, costs for heating will be reduced. It is recommended to have an indoor temperature of 18-21 deg C and a minimum of 15 deg C in the winter so the pipes do not burst.
- Wash clothes and dishes on a lower temperature
- Most clothes can get clean at 30 deg C.
- Most dished can get clean at 50 deg C instead of 70 deg C.
- Reduce the use of the dryer.
- Do not run the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher before they are full (some newer models can sense when the load is not full and adjust accordingly, but most do not).
- Purchase energy efficient appliances
- Draught-proof windows and doors
- Turn off lights and idle appliances when not in use
- Replace lights with LED bulbs
- Spend less time in the shower, turn off the water when shampooing and soaping
- Swap your bath for a shower
- Don’t overfill the kettle when boiling water
- Mind the fridge
- Do not leave the door open for too long when getting food
- Do not put hot food straight into the refrigerator or freezer.
- Cook clever
- Be mindful of using the oven – do not have it standing it empty, avoid opening the door too often as it will lose heat.