Your country most likely has real green electricity providers, as they purchase or implement the appropriate capacities of green electricity for each customer. The other electricity providers only offer an electricity mix. The share of green electricity is sold more expensive as an eco-tariff to some customers, while the other customers theoretically only receive the shares of gas, coal, etc. http://www.imodeler.info/ro?key=CF8Gsu47BnYHLi5NHUWXKVA

It is always a consideration whether the further use of an older device does not require less energy or water than the production of a new, energy-efficient device. Therefore, the energy requirement along the entire product life cycle (from production to use to disposal) must be considered. Sometimes someone needs a different device and can't afford a new one - then a used device from someone who has bought a new, more economical device, of course, also makes sense. With some devices, the top values are only achieved with large quantities, i.e. washing machines with a lot of capacity. It is to see whether the top values also apply with lower filling quantities, for example for single households.

LED 'light bulbs' are now available for really all lamps, even with pleasantly warm light colors.

Streaming can hardly be stopped. It is convenient if all data is automatically backed up in the cloud and can be accessed from anywhere, and it is equally convenient if all shipments can be viewed not only at a certain time, but 'on demand'. It can also be argued that computers no longer need such large hard drives and CDs or BlueRays no longer need to be produced. In the end, however, streaming all over the world means a considerable energy demand and the infrastructures for transmission towers devour space and raw materials and they probably also cause harmful radiation. One solution is therefore to give up comfort a bit and perhaps also go more into nature instead of squatting in front of the screen. In detail, there is still the possibility to download something more at home with fiber optic, than on the go with older mobile networks.

So-called balcony power plants are the entry into energy awareness. One to two panels connected to an inverter with a maximum of 800 watts can currently be purchased without VAT. They pay off after a few years - depending on how many devices we have running during the day (washing machine, refrigerator, lawn mower, ...). The panels can also perform more than 800 W, for example so that they can also reach the maximum 800 W of the inverter in the morning and afternoon. They help us to understand the calculation in watts and to see the benefits when we turn on the dishwasher in the sunshine, and not in the evening. Such load management is the future when electricity tariffs are adapted to the supply of wind and sun. In addition, the owners of balcony power plants are of course proud of their contribution to a better world and infect others. The mostly complete set from the hardware store or the Internet can be screwed storm-proof even to the south or half to the east and west and then simply plug into the socket and the electricity finds the shortest way, without this amount of electricity running through the meter from the outside and having to be paid for. Conversely, however, the unused electricity usually flows uncounted (old meters run backwards and then count :-) into the grid and pleases the electricity provider.

We have to use all suitable areas for photovoltaics (PV), as the variants on open spaces restrict nature and agriculture. A trend is PV on stilts, so that it can still be gardened or cultivated underneath. But that costs building material. Photovoltaics has become amazingly inexpensive today thanks to cheap panels from China. Unfortunately, there is hardly any money to make from the feed into the power grid, currently about 8 cents per kWh in Germany. Therefore, PV should always be combined with its own electricity storage (own step, see below) so that as much electricity as possible is consumed by yourself. This then saves approx. 25 to 35 cents per kWh (depending on your tariff), which we would otherwise have to pay to the electricity provider. In this way, your own PV system, adapted to your own electricity consumption, pays off after just a few years. If you have a car, you should take into account its consumption (even if it is not yet an electric car). Then the savings are much bigger. The banks like to give loans for PV, quite often it is also being subsidized. In addition, there are also providers who take over the costs and virtually rent the roof area and offer discounted electricity in return. Such providers then form so-called virtual power plants with other houses and their batteries. For such a dependency, you should inform yourself well about what is best for you.

First of all: private use of hydropower is possible, but absolutely the exception and must be well considered legally and in its effects on ecosystems. We can also only operate wind power plants with consideration for our neighbors (noise development). Some properties are actually sufficiently exposed to the wind. But many are later disappointed with how little yield they have then. Citizen energy really makes sense - if, for example, residents join together in a cooperative and usually operate larger wind turbines nearby. This promotes the acceptance of wind power in the area and the return does not end up with the large investor, but with the local people.

An electricity storage system primarily helps to maximize the yield of the PV system if the electricity is not fed into the grid for little money, but comes out of the battery in the evening and then allows the full electricity price to be saved. Another advantage may be that some batteries work as an island system in the event of a power outage. The already mentioned virtual power plants then access your battery from the outside and make the electricity available virtually in the neighborhood and compensate you for it. In addition, power grids are stabilized and even with little wind and no sun, we can consume renewable energies. Note on lithium: Like many other raw materials, lithium is often problematic during mining. However, the life cycle assessment must take into account that we can recycle lithium for hundreds of years. In the basement, older lithium batteries from the automotive industry could also come to a second life later or, alternatively, sodium batteries that require more space.

Motion detectors make sense in all rooms including outdoor areas, where we potentially let the light burn for too long, for example in the hallway, basement, garage, etc. Of course, it is important that the light does not stay on for too long.

Standby power consumption is often reminded and extrapolated. For example, if a TV consumes 5 watts in standby, that is 120 watt hours (Wh) per day, i.e. about one eighth of a kilowatt hour, which costs about 35 cents. So hardly anyone will get up from the sofa for 5 cents a day and press the switch on the TV, or turn off the WLAN router at night, or shut down the computer. Or is it? And how many watt hours could be saved daily in all households? Would this consideration influence your actions?

Modern lamps require little electricity, and yet it is worthwhile not to let them burn unnecessarily, for example when we are not in the room for a long time.

The compensation of greenhouse gas emissions is very controversial. Someone flies, drives a car or organizes a barbecue and donates an amount for the associated greenhouse gas emissions to a service provider who promises projects for greenhouse gas saving / binding (e.g. via forest afforestation). Unfortunately, many providers prove to be fraudulent because they do not achieve the promised effect at all. So only reputable providers should be supported. In addition, the compensation should not be misunderstood as a free ticket. It is therefore important to avoid emissions as much as possible and only compensate for the rest (see also the point Donations).

Apart from the fact that every device can have a high power consumption, a refrigerator is not regularly defrosted, the door seal is leaking, the washing machine is driven with too high temperatures and spin numbers, etc., there are still some unnecessary things that consume a lot of electricity: Tumble dryer, sauna, dehumidifier, pond pumps, aquarium heaters, terrace heaters, etc. The easiest way is to see to what extent you deviate from the average consumption in Germany and then think about what it is. If you are charging an electric car at home, you should see what can be attributed to it (either the car offers this evaluation or you use a separate electricity meter for this).

The area that we need to live means the area that is sealed, the building material that is needed, and the space that needs to be heated - and all this against the background of social justice. When more people live in the household, they share rooms such as kitchen, living room or bathroom. In fact, the per capita area is constantly increasing because more older people live alone and longer in large houses and because there are more single households. Not everyone can now rebuild or move out, but those who take these steps can be proud to reduce the living space.

Thermal insulation is extremely important. Investing here means saving energy and costs. The argument that building will then become too expensive must be clearly put into perspective. One way, of course, is to have to insulate smaller living spaces. The other to become generally more efficient when building. Then ecological building materials will also become affordable. Old houses that can no longer be sensibly insulated are perhaps worth so much more as a new building that financing is not a problem. (Note: the figures are for Germany)

Heat pumps extract a large volume - air, soil, groundwater - small amounts of heat and add them to sufficient heat for the apartment and water heating. Similar to a refrigerator, only a refrigerant is pumped in a circle and the electrical energy is much lower than the heat energy obtained. Heat pumps in themselves are not necessarily expensive. But electricity is wrongly expensive compared to natural gas, which is why heat pumps are only worthwhile if less heat is needed overall in a well-insulated house. In cold Scandinavia of all places, heat pumps have long since prevailed, while a sham debate is being held in Germany. Wood heaters are at best one (1), as they are less bad than oil and gas. However, they emit ultrafine particles and we need wood for building materials. Windbreak can remain in the forest for biodiversity or be used for chipboard.

Long and hot showers mean water and energy consumption and ultimately high costs. The other effects are even more impressive in the network - or did you know that long showering can be responsible for refugees and the quality of life in Germany? http://www.imodeler.info/ro? key=Ceju1XNHCFZBJc2MpbAOl5Q We simply take a Spartaste when flushing the toilet for granted.

Appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers must specify a value for water consumption when buying new. It is therefore worthwhile to compare water and energy consumption equally and also to research corresponding test reports..

We can use rainwater at least for garden irrigation in the case of unproblematic materials of the roof. With significantly more effort also for washing machine and toilet flushing. Even if it takes quite a long time economically before it's worth it, it's a good thing.

Building materials such as concrete, plaster, steel or even aluminum have a high ecological footprint and mean many greenhouse gases. The foamed insulation materials are also in the criticism. In addition, the negative consequences of conventional paints and adhesives are often unknown, which then lead to toxic exhaust gases in waste incineration plants due to ultimately ineffective filters. Natural building materials and colors are significantly more expensive, although the non-natural materials are often extremely expensive when it comes to disposal. So it is the good feeling, the better smell and the healthier building biology that make us do the right thing here.

Solar thermal energy makes it possible to heat water over part of the roof area most of the year and then use it for hot water or even to support heating. It is quite inexpensive in the actual purchase - only pipes have to be laid and the heat for the hot water or heating must be transferred via a heat exchanger. Since solar thermal energy works mainly in sunshine, it is often suggested to install PV modules on the same surface and to electrically heat water over them. The yield in kW is higher with solar thermal energy, but the installation of PV is easier.

Ventilation systems have long been standard for passive and active houses. Not only do they help to ventilate properly - so not too late and not too long - but also to remove a large part of the heat from the warm, 'consumed' air. Rare, on the other hand, is wastewater heat recovery.

With old heaters with small radiators, the heating regularly generates over 60 degrees, so that the hot water with over 60 degrees can also be free of legionella. Modern heat pumps, many district heating networks and also the use of solar thermal energy on less sunny days can lead to temperatures of less than 50 degrees for heating. For the hot water, it must then always be reheated elaborately. On the other hand, if the temperature of the hot water can also be lowered, a lot of energy can be saved. However, this is only possible in compliance with the generally accepted rules of technology, otherwise legionella can occur. A help can be modern methods of ultrafiltration.