June 17, 2025, 4:55 am | Read time: 4 minutes
In times of high energy prices, it’s worth paying special attention to the energy guzzlers in your home. An expert explains to myHOMEBOOK where savings can be made.
When electricity costs rise, it’s wise to try to save energy. It’s also important to identify which appliances in the home consume a lot of electricity or are simply always plugged in. Even when you’re not at home, some devices use power: The router is on, the TV is in standby mode, and the refrigerator is, of course, plugged in. Find out which devices can be energy hogs and what to watch out for here.
Especially Old and Inefficient Devices Consume a Lot of Power
Determining which household appliance is the biggest energy hog is no longer straightforward. “Many still believe it’s the refrigerator or freezer. But if I have a device that’s less than 15 years old, it’s not an energy hog—those days are over. The devices have become much more efficient,” says Gerhild Loer, energy expert at the Consumer Center NRW to myHOMEBOOK.
Old and inefficient devices, however, can become energy hogs, driving up costs. Generally, you can’t say that a device that’s 25 years old is an energy hog. Therefore, the energy expert recommends using a power meter. You can borrow one for free from consumer centers and connect it to the respective appliance.
Real Energy Hogs in the Household
Tendentially, there are devices that consume more electricity than others. According to the Federal Association of Energy and Water Industries, these devices consumed the most energy in 2021:
- 28 percent: Information and communication technology (cell phones, laptops, gaming consoles, etc.)
- 14 percent: Washing and drying
- 13 percent: Lighting
- 11 percent: Refrigeration and freezing appliances
- 9 percent: Cooking
- 8 percent: Dishwashing
According to energy expert Loer, most energy is now consumed by entertainment and communication electronics—consumption is now almost 30 percent. However, these devices cannot generally be labeled as energy hogs. “Each device in itself is totally efficient,” says Loer.
More on this (via TECHBOOK): How much electricity smartphones, TVs, and laptops consume
Where Can You Save on Electricity Costs?
Turn Off Instead of Standby Mode
Showering, cooking, baking, working on a laptop—you can’t do without these. Still, there’s potential for savings. The advice the consumer center has been giving for years, namely to turn off devices completely when possible, still applies. Over the course of a year, several devices constantly in standby mode can become energy hogs.
More on this: These 4 energy hogs should be turned off at night
Energy-Saving Lighting
There’s also a lot to save on lighting. Those who opt for LED lights instead of halogen lamps use 80 percent less electricity in comparison. The clear appeal from energy expert Loer is: “Even if the halogen lamp still works, throw it away and replace it with LED lamps.”
Heating Water
According to Loer, warm water in the household has always been a cost driver for electricity. Heating it consumes a lot of energy. “You can save money here,” explains the expert. She generally recommends a water-saving showerhead, which can save up to 50 percent of water. However, if the pressure is too low, this saving tip won’t work. But you can also save real money by adjusting the temperature and duration of showers—lowering the temperature slightly and showering a bit shorter reduces costs. The Consumer Center NRW provides a shower calculator that clarifies consumption and costs.
Also interesting: Why energy cost meters can be worthwhile
By the way, energy savings should not only be considered by consumers whose water is heated by a gas boiler. Even if the heating is oil-operated, costs are currently rising.
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Saving Electricity at Home – Example Calculation
Energy expert Loer presents an example calculation showing how much electricity can be saved annually through certain measures in the household. This example is based on a four-person household with a consumption of 4,000 kWh per year without electric water heating. The costs amount to 7 cents per kWh and around 1,500 euros per year. The following measures can save 146 euros:
| Measure | Consumption Saving/Year | Cost Saving/Year |
| Replace 5 halogen lamps with LEDs | 90 kWh | 30 € |
| Turn off 10 standby devices | 80 kWh | 25 € |
| Do not use dryer for 3 summer months | 63 kWh | 21 € |
| Save electricity when cooking and baking | 63 kWh | 21 € |
| Use eco program instead of quick program on dishwasher | 53 kWh | 17 € |
| Wash at 30 degrees instead of 60 degrees for 50% of laundry | 42 kWh | 14 € |
| Turn off router for 8 hours at night | 30 kWh | 10 € |
| Set refrigerator to 7 degrees instead of 5 degrees | 20 kWh | 7 € |
| Total 441 kWh | Total 146 € |