Energy & Climate
About a quarter of the total energy consumption in Germany comes from private households - so each one of us can contribute to reducing it.
In 2017, this share was 129 TWh or 1,550kWh per person* - with heavy consumers consuming three to four times as much as economical ones. This savings measure is not only good for the climate, but also for your own wallet :).
The topic "Energy and climate" is so complex that it could fill its own homepage. To date, there is not a single form of energy production that is not problematic in any way, so that the most important measure for each individual is to save energy - we would like to give you tips on this that can be implemented quickly, but can make a big difference.
Nevertheless, the massive expansion of renewable energies is indisputably a very crucial component of climate protection, so that we would also like to introduce you to various providers of electricity from 100% renewable sources, so that the energy that is consumed is at least emission-free.
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If you are interested in the background of the individual energy options and how an energy transition can work, you will find theScientists for futurevery in-depth knowledge on the subject.
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Do you want to get active yourself?
Take a look at which of the energy-saving tips you can easily implement, change your electricity provider if you are not already using green electricity, and deepen your knowledge with the help of the linked pages. Join theChallenge "Save energy & switch to green electricity". Exchange ideas with other challenge participants in your group or, if you don't want to do the challenge right away, with other members in theForum under "Energy Saving & Green Power".
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green electricity provider
theStadtwerke Halloffer electricity from 100% renewable sources with their premium electricity. The normal electricity mix of the public utilities, on the other hand, contains ~40% electricity from fossil energy sources and nuclear energy. The more people from Hall choose Premiumstrom, the smaller the total share!
If you are looking for a provider who only offers green electricity out of conviction and who is also actively promoting the energy transition, you will find it here:
The only energy supplier in Germany that meets the strict electricity criteria of the environmental protection organizationGreenpeace Germany registered association adheres to These not only guarantee that the green electricity comes from clean power plants, they also stipulate that the provider makes a significant contribution to the success of the energy transition.
Greenpeace Energy supports our campaign with a new customer bonus in the form of aStarting credit of 25.00 euros- just this oneLink to switchuse!
The public utilities also supply 100% green electricity, which comes exclusively from regional public energy works. They are also actively driving the energy transition. The public works also support our campaign with a new customer bonus: About this onelinkyou get under theKeyword "KLIMAFASTEN25" 25€ starting credit.
EWS - electricity works Schönau
Here, too, the electricity comes 100% from climate-friendly renewable energies. In addition, fellow campaigners generate electricity themselves in around 3,000 EWS-funded rebel power plants - ecologically, decentrally and privately. In addition, more than 70% of the electricity comes from new plants according to the criteria of the Öko-Institut to promote the expansion of renewable energies. With the "Sonnencent" funding program, anyone can become a green electricity producer themselves.
100% green electricity from German water and wind power. 1 cent per kWh for the construction of new eco-energy plants helps to advance the energy transition.
In addition to these green electricity veterans, there are now other recommended providers, but also some who are far greener than they are - there is a good overview, for exampleUtopia.de.
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Energy Saving Tips
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By far the most energy can
we save in the area of heating, how
this graphic illustrates:
I. Save heating energy
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1. Ventilation helps to save heating energy. Tilting windows cools the rooms down in winter without ensuring a real exchange of air - in between, on the other hand, forced airing has the opposite effect.
2. Lower the room temperature by 1°C - that's not much, but it has a great effect: 5-10% heating energy can be saved in this way, and with it 450kg CO2 and 135€**. The body gets used to it quickly - and you may soon be able to lower the temperature a little again :). Clothing appropriate for the season also helps.
3. Check whether night setback is active on your heating system, otherwise check the instructions for your heating system to find out how to do this. The changeover is usually very uncomplicated and the few minutes you invest pay off financially.
4. Set the timer clock if possible, or buy timers for individual thermostats. This keeps the heating cold while you work, but kicks in in time so it's warm when you get home.
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5. Also a facade insulation, a new heating system
and similar measures can reduce emissions and
Significantly reduce heating costs - this is what it offers
energy centerinexpensive consultations.
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II. Hot water
1. Hot water production also costs energy - buy flow limiters for all the taps in the house and an energy-saving shower head. So you save a lot of energy with very little effort. Don't worry - the saving beam also feels great ;).
2. Make sure the tap is off when brushing your teeth or soaping your hands. Use cold water instead of warm water for many activities.
3. The water comes out of your tap very warm and is possibly too hot quickly? Most heating circuits have a "Legionella circuit". With this circuit, the content of the water tank is heated up at regular intervals to protect against legionella (usually over 70°C for a short time), so that the temperature can be lowered during the rest of the time.
III. save electricity
First of all: It is interesting to start with your owncarbon footprint- so it can be compared with the next bill from the electricity provider to see how much the consumption - and thus also the down payment - has fallen :).
Or you can borrow an electricity meter from your energy supplier or buy one (~10€) that you can give away later to see directly what you are saving or can save by checking the consumption of your devices to know if an exchange is ecologically and financially worthwhile.
1. Set the fridge to 7°C - that's enough for the food, but saves a lot of energy and money.
2. For new purchases only devices
with A+, A++ or A+++ and also no over-
buy sized devices - that seems
more expensive at first, but saves money in the long run
still cash :). For very old devices it is
ecologically sensible to replace them directly. One
Very helpful overview of current devices and
their propertiesecotoptenand the
3. Turn off devices you don't use all the time instead of using standby mode. get youmultiple power stripswith a switch - so you can make sure that several electrical devices are really disconnected from the mains with one switch. Because most devices run constantly in standby mode without you noticing.
4. Cook with a lid - this simple measure reduces the power consumption when cooking by a third. The pot should also fit the stovetop size. It is best to boil water in a kettle (and not more than is actually needed) - this also saves energy.
5. Fill the washing machine and dishwasher well, not just with a few parts. Also use the eco-program of your devices - it takes longer, but it saves energy and money. Wash on low temperatures, fill the machine to capacity, pre-treat stains to save on lengthy stain wash cycles, and avoid using a dryer whenever possible.
6. Replace halogen lamps and light bulbs (if you still have them) with economical LEDs with the same brightness and the warm light you are used to (if desired). Although they are more expensive to buy, the costs are amortized in just a few months - and protect the climate. If you still have mostly old lamps, you can save 85-90% of the electricity in one fell swoop!*
7. Freeze your freezer regularly.
And finally
1. Change your email address: atwww.posteo.deyou will receive a mailbox that is operated with 100% renewable energies. Also delete old e-mails regularly - because saving them also requires electricity, which conventional providers largely come from fossil fuels or nuclear energy.
2. An alternative search engine iswww.ecosia.org- trees are planted here for your search, and that in the most inhospitable places in the world: among other things, a desert in Burkina Faso is being made fertile again :).
3. Yours toobank accountcan contribute to climate protection if you switch to sustainable banks.
4. Money invested in the expansion of renewable energies helps to avoid emissions beyond those directly self-generated and can thus also significantly reduce your own CO2 footprint.
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Consultation optionsenergy centerdrums
The energy center in Wolpertshausen offers private individuals, companies and municipalities in the Schwäbisch Hall district neutral and competent advice on all aspects of energy saving and the use of renewable energies - optionally free of charge (pureenergy consulting) or inexpensive (in the form of aenergy checks).
An energy consultant assesses the energy consumption on site, identifies potential savings and records this with recommendations for action. You will receive important tips on how to reduce energy consumption. The energy consultant is also competent in assessing whether a solar system on the roof of a house is suitable.
In addition, the energy center offers interestingeventson topics such as "renewing the heating system" or "photovoltaics pay off".
There are also exciting offers for schools and kindergartens: from theLittle energy detectivesn(Preschool/ 1st + 2nd grade) up tostandbyfor grades 5-11 or oneexcursion day. Are you interested? Just ask in kindergarten, the class or physics teacher :).
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Do you want more?
onmein-Klimaschutz.deyou can calculate, for example, how much heating costs and money can be saved per year in your home, or whether it is worth replacing the refrigerator with a new one. In addition, there is a lot of information and tips.
*The book "#climatesaving- Change politics and life now" by Rainer Grießhammer offers great background information and savings opportunities, especially on the subject of saving energy. It is also a helpful reference work on the subject!
Determine your personal C02 footprintCO2 online- with numerous helpful savings tips!
**Source:WWF
