Switchable power strips
Televisions, games consoles, speakers and computers are often connected to one power strip. With one switch, you disconnect all devices from the mains at once when you are not using them.
Guide · As of 2026
Saving electricity: simple and lasting
Many households use more electricity than necessary, often without noticing. With a few new habits and the right appliance the next time you buy one, your consumption falls noticeably. Here you will find tips with proven orders of magnitude and benchmark figures that help you assess your own consumption.
- Stand-by
- Household appliances
- Energy label
- Electricity benchmark
- Hot water
Where the electricity in your home goes
According to the BDEW (German Association of Energy and Water Industries, Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft), information and entertainment technology uses the largest share of household electricity. This includes televisions, computers, routers and games consoles. This is followed by washing and drying, lighting, and fridges and freezers.
If you heat water with electricity, for example with an instantaneous water heater (Durchlauferhitzer), you use much more. According to co2online, around a third of electricity consumption then goes on hot water. Stand-by mode accounts for around a tenth of consumption on average.
- IT and entertainment: over 29%
- Washing and drying: just under 13%
- Lighting: just over 12%
- Cooling and freezing: about 10%
The shares are average values from the BDEW (as of June 2026). In your household, the breakdown can look completely different. This is why measuring helps more than estimating.
Typical consumption by household size
The electricity benchmark (Stromspiegel) from co2online shows the average annual consumption of German households. The current values (as of May 2025) are based on consumption data from 2024.
| People | Flat (without / with electric hot water) | House (without / with electric hot water) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,200 / 1,600 kWh | 1,800 / 2,100 kWh |
| 2 | 1,900 / 2,500 kWh | 2,700 / 3,200 kWh |
| 3 | 2,400 / 3,500 kWh | 3,500 / 4,100 kWh |
| 4 | 2,600 / 4,000 kWh | 3,800 / 4,700 kWh |
| 5 | 3,100 / 5,000 kWh | 4,500 / 6,000 kWh |
Average annual consumption. “Flat” means a flat in an apartment building, “house” means a detached house or a two-family house. Source: co2online, Stromspiegel für Deutschland.
Assessing your own consumption
You can find your annual consumption on your last annual bill. Compare it with the value in the table that matches your living situation. If your consumption is clearly higher, it is worth looking for power guzzlers.
An example: a two-person household in a flat without electric hot water uses 1,900 kWh a year on average. According to the Stromspiegel, very economical households of this size manage with as little as 1,200 kWh. At the average household electricity price of around 37 ct/kWh (BDEW, August 2026), the difference of 700 kWh costs about €260 a year.
However, consumption also depends on your daily life. If you work from home, have an aquarium or cook and wash with electricity, your consumption is often higher. What matters is that you know what the electricity is used for.
Stand-by and devices that are always on
Many devices use electricity even when they seem to be switched off. These small amounts run around the clock and add up over the year.
Check older devices
Under EU rules, new devices may use no more than 0.5 watts in stand-by. This limit does not apply to networked devices. Older devices and power adapters are often above this, according to the consumer advice centre (Verbraucherzentrale) at 0.5 to 10 watts.
Router and network
Routers, repeaters and smart home devices run all the time. Check in the settings whether the Wi-Fi can switch off automatically at night, and remove devices you no longer need.
Computers and gaming
According to the consumer advice centre, a powerful gaming PC needs over 300 watts on average. At 3.5 hours a day, that is more than 380 kWh a year. Use energy-saving modes and switch the computer off completely after gaming.
Cooling, washing, drying, cooking and lighting
Cooling and freezing
In the fridge, 7 °C in the top compartment is enough; in the freezer, −18 °C. According to the consumer advice centre, every degree colder increases consumption by about 6%. Do not place fridges and freezers directly next to the cooker or a radiator, and defrost iced-up compartments.
Washing
For normally soiled laundry, 30 °C is enough in many cases. Wash with a full drum. Eco programmes take longer but use less energy.
Drying
A washing line uses the least electricity. According to the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), modern heat pump dryers need about 73 to 97 kWh for 100 drying cycles, older appliances without a heat pump around 340 kWh. Spin the laundry at a high speed first.
Dishwashing
A fully loaded dishwasher in the eco programme is economical. Pre-rinsing under running water is not necessary. Short programmes usually use more energy.
Cooking and baking
Cook with a lid and with little water. For vegetables, eggs or potatoes, 1 to 2 cm is often enough. You heat water faster in a kettle than in a pan. According to the consumer advice centre, a fan oven saves about 15% energy compared with conventional top and bottom heat.
Lighting
According to the consumer advice centre, LED lamps need up to 90% less electricity than old incandescent bulbs. Replace the lamps that are on the longest first. Switching off lights in empty rooms still makes sense.
Hot water with electricity: instantaneous heaters and hot water tanks
If water is heated with electricity, this is often the largest single item. An electronic instantaneous water heater controls the temperature precisely. According to the consumer advice centre, it can save up to 30% electricity in everyday use compared with a hydraulic appliance.
A water-saving shower head costs about €20 and can reduce hot water consumption by up to 50%. Look for a flow rate below 9 litres per minute. Conventional shower heads are often at 10 to 12 litres, rain showers at up to 20 litres.
Set the temperature you want directly on the appliance instead of mixing very hot water with cold water. For hygiene reasons, the consumer advice centre advises regularly setting the temperature of an instantaneous water heater to at least 55 °C, and of small under-sink water heaters (Untertischspeicher) to at least 50 °C.
Buying new: reading the energy label correctly
For many appliances, a scale from A to G without plus classes applies again. The new classification is stricter than the old one. So compare above all the consumption in kWh.
- Fridges and freezers, washing machines, washer-dryers, dishwashers and televisions: new scale since 1 March 2021.
- Lamps and light bulbs: new scale since 1 September 2021.
- Tumble dryers: new scale since 1 July 2025.
- Smartphones and tablets: their own energy label since 20 June 2025.
- Compare the annual consumption in kWh or the consumption per 100 cycles, not just the class.
- The QR code on the label leads to the EU product database with further information.
- Choose the right size. An appliance that is too large uses unnecessary electricity even with a good class.
- Only replace a working appliance if the replacement pays off. Measure the consumption first.
How to find power guzzlers
- 01
Check your annual consumption
Take your last annual bill and compare the consumption with the values in the Stromspiegel.
- 02
Measure the base load
Read the meter in the evening when only the devices that also run at night are on. Read it again in the morning. Divide the difference in kWh by the number of hours and multiply by 1,000. This is your average base load (Grundlast) in watts.
- 03
Measure devices individually
A plug-in energy meter (Strommessgerät) is plugged in between the socket and the device. It shows what a device uses when running and in stand-by. It is best to measure fridges and freezers over 24 hours.
- 04
Calculate the costs
Consumption in kWh multiplied by the unit price (Arbeitspreis) gives the costs. Example: a device with a constant load of 10 watts uses around 88 kWh a year. At 37 ct/kWh, that is about €32.
- 05
Start with the big items
First change what saves the most. With our appliance calculator, you can estimate the costs of individual appliances.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does an average household use?
That depends on the number of people and the type of home. According to the Stromspiegel, a two-person household in a flat without electric hot water uses 1,900 kWh a year on average, and 2,700 kWh in a house. With electric hot water, the values are much higher.
Is it worth switching devices off completely?
Yes, especially for entertainment electronics and older devices. Stand-by accounts for around a tenth of household electricity on average. A switchable power strip is a simple solution.
Should I replace my old fridge straight away?
Not necessarily. First measure its consumption over 24 hours and project it to a full year. Compare it with the annual consumption of a new appliance on the energy label. Only then can you see whether the replacement pays off.
Does a smart meter help me save electricity?
A digital meter shows your consumption more precisely. But you still have to save yourself by using your devices differently. You can read more about this in our smart meter guide.
What helps more: saving electricity or choosing a different tariff?
Both work together, because the costs are consumption multiplied by price. If you would like to check your tariff, we will compare the tariffs of the suppliers we work with. You can reach us by phone, WhatsApp, email or via the enquiry form.
Related topics
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Open the calculatorElectricity consumption calculator
How much electricity does a household like yours use? The calculator shows the average consumption according to the Stromspiegel (electricity consumption benchmark) and places your own annual consumption in classes A to G.
Open the calculatorSmart meters
Modern metering device or smart meter system: who gets a smart meter, the maximum it may cost in 2026 and how installation on request works in Germany.
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How to read your electricity and gas bill: unit price, standing charge, monthly instalments, 2026 price components, mandatory details and what to do about errors.
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Learn moreSources
- co2online: Electricity consumption in the household (Stromspiegel, as of May 2025)
- BDEW: Saving electricity – shares of household electricity consumption
- BDEW: Electricity price analysis August 2026
- Verbraucherzentrale: Saving electricity at home – simple tips
- Verbraucherzentrale: Buying an instantaneous water heater
- Verbraucherzentrale: Saving hot water in everyday life
- Umweltbundesamt: Tumble dryers
- Umweltbundesamt: New energy label for electrical appliances
- Verbraucherzentrale: Energy label for smartphones and tablets
Get personal advice
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