Electricity Saving Tips
Stromspartipps - 20 Best Tips to Save
Learn the most effective ways to reduce electricity consumption. Perfect guide for expats and newcomers in Germany.
What are Stromspartipps?
Stromspartipps means "electricity saving tips" in German. With Germany having some of Europe's highest electricity prices, knowing how to save energy is essential - especially for newcomers who aren't familiar with local habits and options.
The single most effective tip is switching your electricity provider - this alone can save €300-600 per year without changing any habits. Combined with the behavioral tips below, you can reduce your electricity costs by up to 50%.
Key German Terms - Wichtige Begriffe
Vocabulary for energy saving
Stromspartipps
Electricity saving tips
Stromsparen
Saving electricity
Standby
Standby mode (hidden power drain)
Energiesparlampe
Energy-saving light bulb (LED)
Stromfresser
"Electricity eater" - high-consumption device
Steckerleiste
Power strip (use one with switch!)
Waschmaschine
Washing machine
Kühlschrank
Refrigerator
Top Energy Saving Tips
Die effektivsten Stromspartipps - Ranked by Impact
Switch electricity provider
€300-600/year
Use LED bulbs everywhere
€50-100/year
Eliminate standby power
€50-100/year
Set fridge to 7°C
€30-50/year
Wash at 30°C not 60°C
€40-60/year
Use eco wash programs
€20-40/year
Detailed Saving Tips
Switch Your Electricity Provider
This is the biggest and easiest saving. Many expats stay with the default provider (Grundversorger) and pay 20-40% more than necessary. Switching takes 5 minutes and saves €300-600/year.
Savings: €300-600/year with zero effort
Replace All Bulbs with LEDs
LED bulbs use 90% less electricity than old incandescent bulbs and last 10-25 times longer. Even if your apartment came with old bulbs, replacing them is one of the best investments.
Savings: €50-100/year
Eliminate Standby Power
TVs, computers, coffee machines, and chargers all consume power in standby mode. Use a power strip with a switch (Steckerleiste mit Schalter) to turn everything off at once.
Savings: €50-100/year
Optimize Major Appliances
Refrigerator: Set to 7°C (not colder). Keep the freezer at -18°C and defrost regularly.
Washing machine: Use 30°C instead of 60°C for normal laundry. Always run full loads.
Dishwasher: Use eco programs. They run longer but use less energy.
Savings: €80-150/year combined
Tip #1: Switch Providers
The most effective Stromspartipp - Biggest Savings with Zero Effort
Compare Electricity Prices
Find a cheaper provider and start saving immediately
Common Questions
Häufige Fragen zu Stromspartipps
Which tip saves the most money?
Switching electricity providers is by far the most impactful tip. It requires zero behavior change and saves €300-600 per year. The second-best tips are replacing bulbs with LEDs and eliminating standby power - each saves €50-100/year.
Do these tips actually work?
Yes, measurably! LED bulbs use 90% less electricity - that's physics. Standby elimination removes 5-10% of household consumption. Washing at 30°C uses 50% less energy than 60°C. These are documented, proven savings.
Are German electricity prices really that high?
Yes, among the highest in Europe. German households pay around 30-35 cents/kWh (compared to 15-20 cents in France or Spain). About 50% of the price is taxes and levies. That's why saving tips are especially valuable in Germany.
What's an easy first step for newcomers?
Compare electricity prices using our calculator above. It takes 2 minutes and shows how much you could save by switching. Then buy a power strip with a switch (€10-15 at any hardware store) to eliminate standby consumption. These two steps save €400+/year combined.
Start Saving with Stromspartipps
Begin with the most effective tip: compare providers and switch in 5 minutes!