The frantic rally of rising energy prices is not something that started last month. The rapid increases have started almost a year before, since May 2021. A typical example is the price of natural gas, which from 20 euros / MWh at that time, exceeded 100 euros / MWh in January 2022.
Where do the increases come from?
The reasons for these increases are not only due to the war in Ukraine, but are a combination of many factors. Let’s unfold the tangle of facts a little:
• Europe has initially decided on zero pollutants by 2050 which, as expected, caused a sharp rise in the price of CO2 emissions allowances.
• Simultaneously with this decision came the exit from the pandemic and consequently the increase in demand for LNG (liquefied natural gas) from Asia and China, which are also gradually abandoning lignite.
• This gradual removal from lignite plants worldwide, in conjunction with reduction of wind energy production They also contributed to the increase in demand and therefore to the rise in prices.
• It also contributes significantly to the rally of increases the attitude of Russia not supply Europe with the required quantities of natural gas.
• It is important to add that heavy winter 2020 – 2021 has led to a further increase in demand for natural gas in Europe. The heating season lasted longer than usual, resulting in a decrease in strategic stocks, which this year have not been adequately substituted due to high prices but also the lack of supply.
For all these reasons, we understand that this energy crisis has not started now and will certainly not end soon. Estimates for gradual de-escalation are for the first quarter of 2023 and this is the optimistic scenario.
But what can we do besides subsidies?
The subsidy may indeed relieve some of our pockets, but it is valid under certain conditions and may not appeal to all consumers.
That is why it is time for us all to take more drastic measures and to take care to save electricity ourselves, in order to prevent as much as possible the accuracy that exists in the accounts.
Insurancemarket.gr has been a consumer ally for 10 years in reducing the cost of its household by comparing security, energy and money. In particular, on the platform of Insurancemarket – Energy the consumer can objectively compare all energy providers and PPC, for electricity and gas.
In the following list, insurancemarket.gr has noted ways to save energy in the house that, depending on the capabilities of each, can be implemented by reducing costs and bills.
How to reduce power consumption at home
Energy Home Upgrade
If you’re thinking of investing some money to upgrade your home, now is the time. Find out what grants you are entitled to and make money now to pay them off later. Some of the projects you could invest in are:
• Change your old ones frames for the best possible thermal insulation. This work even belongs to the program “I save autonomously” and can be subsidized up to 85%.
• Choose double glazing on the windows and balcony doors. Replacing old glass is a job that is also subsidized by “I save autonomously”.
• Buy or replace your existing appliances with energy class A +++ appliances and save up to 60% energy. In fact, in May, state funding will be launched for the installation of such devices.
These purchases and tasks may seem expensive, but on the one hand you do not need to do them all together and on the other hand it is something that will compensate you in the future.
Adopt more economical habits
There are also simpler ways to reduce costs in everyday life without making any extra exits. For example:
• Take it out plug in appliances when not in use and save up to 39 euros / year.
• Select to wash your clothes at 30 ° C instead of them 40 ° C, It is equally efficient and saves you up to 55% of electricity.
• Turn off the radiator when you are away from home. The constant temperature in the house for the whole day is not suitable, since in order to maintain it, the radiator must be constantly burning.
Fortunately, of course, the radiator period is over and so the oil and gas bills will start to decrease.
• Regularly maintain the hot water boiler and save up to 20% on heating costs.
• Use kettle instead of a pot to boil water.
• Replace ordinary light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs (LED, fluorescent, halogen, etc.). With each replacement you save up to 13 euros per year, so if you change just 10 light bulbs, you will save 130 euros per year!
• Remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room.
And because summer is slowly approaching:
• Turn off the air conditioner for as long as you are away from home and only turn it on when the outside temperature reaches them 25 ° C. If you turn it on below this temperature, for each degree the consumption increases by 3-4%.
• Choose Inverter Energy Class A +++ and save up to 45% energy compared to other air conditioners.
• Insert and ceiling fans. Fans offer up to 5 degrees below the current temperature much more economically than air conditioners.
• Prefer and natural cooling by opening the windows of the house especially on summer nights. It will reduce consumption by up to 21%.
Changing providers can help
Market comparison always helps to find the one that best suits your needs and consumption habits. Although in the current period, the providers’ tariffs do not have very large discrepancies, it is useful to see if a provider can save you significant amounts. A good solution is to choose to have electricity and gas to the same provider and take advantage of the combined discounts.
In the Insurancemarket – Energy you can compare power providers to find the program that best suits your needs and pocket. Fixed invoices are usually the most popular, but that does not mean they are always the best. The energy consultants of the service can transparently suggest the best for you.
The alternative to Net – Metering
Net – Metering, or energy netting, is an alternative way of saving. This is him set-off which occurs between the energy produced by a photovoltaic system and the energy consumed at the facilities of that system.
In simpler words Net – Metering with photovoltaics, enables a household or a business to generate electricity and consume it at the time it is produced. In fact, when there is a surplus of electricity, it can be given to PPC, which offsets it with the electricity consumed by the owner of the photovoltaic system.
Installing photovoltaics may seem like a costly affair, but on the one hand it can funded by the Banks and on the other hand the depreciation done in the long run will make you white-faced.
We hope we have given you some ideas on how to reduce your bills by even a percentage. To save on car insurance, compare up to 27 insurance companies and find the one that suits you easily and quickly.
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