Are you a tenant? Whether you rent a 4-room apartment or a studio, the energy bill can impact greatly on your monthly budget. SherlockHomes has 5 tips to help you use less energy in your home and reduce your bill.
Are you moving into a rental in Lausanne or elsewhere in Switzerland? Perhaps you need to equip yourself with household appliances. Fridge, oven, washing machine, dishwasher… When buying, check the energy label, which indicates the energy efficiency of the appliance on a scale from A to G. For example, should you need a washing machine in your rental in Lausanne: the energy label tells you the consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh) for 100 wash cycles, the duration of the eco program and even the water consumption per wash cycle. Opt for an A-rated appliance at the very least if you want to make optimal energy savings. In addition, avoid appliances that consume too much energy, and which are not essential, such as clothes dryers and standalone electric heaters.
A device that operates in standby mode can consume up to 2 francs of electricity per year. In a property rental, these devices can be numerous: televisions, decoders, game consoles, routers… To consume less energy, turn them off or unplug them. Think of multi-socket adaptors which will turn off several devices at the same time.
Washing machines and dishwashers have an eco-mode that saves 40% energy. To improve energy efficiency, the appliance reduces the temperature and the amount of water. Rest assured; the quality of the wash remains the same thanks to the longer cycle time. On the other hand, avoid quick programmes, which consume more energy and water. With washing machines and dishwashers, only start the programme when the appliance is sufficiently full.
If your rental property is still equipped with incandescent bulbs, replace them with energy-efficient LED bulbs. LEDs can consume up to 90% less energy than conventional bulbs. In addition, they have a much longer lifespan (20,000 to 40,000 hours). However, be sure to choose quality LEDs by checking their energy label.
Heating costs represent two-thirds of the energy expenditure of Swiss households. In an apartment with 4 or more rooms, adjust the temperature according to room occupancy. A drop of one degree can represent an energy saving of 6 to 10%. In living rooms, opt for a temperature of 20°C. In bedrooms and hallways, heat to 17°C. A temperature of 22 to 23°C is ideal for a bathroom. For hot water, set the water heater to 50-60°C. If you cannot adjust the heating yourself, contact the property management.
This article cannot be considered exhaustive and does not engage the responsibility of its author.
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