Efficient methods for reducing household expenses

Adopting these strategies can help families substantially reduce costs and contribute to environmental preservation.

, and Administrator

2025 September 24 . 2:58 PM

2 min read

Strategies for Thriftily Managing Household Expenses

Efficient methods for reducing household expenses

In the past few decades, the liberalization of the electricity market has led to a significant increase in the cost of electricity. Since 2004, the price per kilowatt-hour has doubled, resulting in a 56% increase in the burden of electricity costs for an average household between 2004 and 2018. However, there are ways to combat this rising cost.

Conscious use of resources at home and the adoption of efficient household appliances are essential for reducing regular costs. Efficient appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, and dishwashers, not only reduce energy consumption but also contribute to lower water bills. For instance, modern dishwashers use only about 7 to 10 liters of water per cycle compared to 40 to 60 liters by handwashing, while consuming half the electricity. This results in noteworthy cost savings.

Efficient appliances, like washing machines with an energy efficiency class of B or C, use about 32% less electricity than older models. Even more significant savings can be achieved with A+ and A++ rated appliances. An A+ rated appliance consumes 25% less electricity than an A-rated appliance, and an A++ rated appliance consumes 45% less.

The savings potential for refrigerators and freezers is even greater, with a new one saving 60% of energy costs compared to an outdated A-rated appliance. Modern washing machines are designed to adjust their washing performance to the load in the drum and the degree of soiling, using as little as 89 kWh/a for around 220 washes in the Eco-Normal program.

Beyond the financial benefits, adopting a simpler lifestyle can also save time and money. Leisure activities can be streamlined, and materialism is being questioned as more people turn away from it to embrace a simpler life. This shift does not compromise the quality of life, often providing more time for important things.

The size of living space and its furnishings can also be reduced as part of a simpler lifestyle. This reduction can help alleviate the continuous rise in urban rents and ancillary costs, often referred to as the "second rent", which is a strain on families' budgets.

Minimalism, once a niche for religious ascetics, is now a mainstream trend, encouraging a simpler life in all aspects. By adopting this trend, one can not only reduce costs but also contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing environmental harm from disposal and resource consumption in new production.

In conclusion, by adopting efficient household appliances and embracing a simpler lifestyle, households can significantly reduce their regular costs while contributing to a more sustainable future.