"Weather & Energy Consumption: Heating, cooling & saving today"
The weather outside our door has a direct impact on our wallets—namely through our energy bills. By understanding how temperature and sunshine affect our consumption, we can make conscious decisions and save money.
Heating in Winter and Transitional Seasons
Heating costs account for the largest portion of an average German household's energy consumption. The demand depends directly on the outside temperature.
- Every degree counts: Lowering the room temperature by just 1°C can reduce your heating costs by up to 6%.
- Lower at night and when away: Program your thermostat to lower the temperature by a few degrees at night or when no one is home.
- The sun as a free heater: On sunny winter days, open the curtains and blinds on the south side of your house. The solar radiation can noticeably warm the room and relieve the heating system.
Cooling in Summer
Air conditioners are not yet widespread in Germany, but fans and mobile AC units are becoming increasingly popular—and they are energy guzzlers.
- Keep the heat out: The best way to save on cooling costs is to not let the heat into the house in the first place. Keep windows, shutters, and curtains on the sunny side closed during the day.
- Ventilate at night and in the morning: Use the cool night and morning air to cool down the apartment through cross-ventilation.
- Fans instead of air conditioning: A fan consumes significantly less electricity than an air conditioner. It doesn't cool the air, but the airflow on the skin has a cooling effect.
The Energy Planner in Our App
To raise this awareness, we have developed the "Energy Planner" on the "Today" page. It provides a simplified simulation of daily energy costs based on the temperature forecast:
- Base Costs: A fixed amount representing the consumption for appliances like refrigerators, Wi-Fi, etc.
- Heating Costs: A variable amount that increases the further the temperature falls below a comfort threshold (e.g., 15°C / 59°F).
- Cooling Costs: A variable amount that increases the further the temperature rises above a comfort threshold (e.g., 22°C / 72°F).
Additionally, you receive context-sensitive energy-saving tips. This is not an exact bill, but a tool designed to help you better understand the connection between weather and energy consumption and to identify potential savings.