Only a fifth of the population is aware of which room in the home consumes the most electricity. In a time of high inflation and even higher electricity prices, energy savings in the home have become a popular topic of conversation.
However, there is disagreement about where the greatest potential for savings lies.
A survey conducted by Danish Kantar Gallup for the insurance company Gjensidige and NRGi showed that while a good third believe the bathroom holds the greatest potential for energy savings, every fifth respondent said it is the kitchen that is the biggest culprit when it comes to one's electricity bill.
According to building expert and energy consultant at NRGi, Bo Halm Andersen, there is no doubt that efforts to reduce electricity consumption in the home should start in the kitchen.
"It may be surprising to many that the kitchen is actually the biggest culprit for high electricity consumption in the home. But when you think about it, it's also the room where we use the most electrical appliances and functions, such as refrigerator/freezer, oven, stove, coffee machine, dishwasher, and various other kitchen appliances," says Bo Halm Andersen.
He has concrete advice for saving electricity in the kitchen:
"It's all about temperature control of the refrigerator and freezer, proper use of the dishwasher, and energy optimization of the oven and stove, where residual heat should be considered as a natural part of cooking. And then you might consider skipping turning on the oven or stove once a week, and instead opt for making cold dishes for dinner. That can also significantly lower energy consumption."
An assessment by the Danish Energy Agency of the typical electricity consumption in detached houses shows that the kitchen accounts for 31 percent of electricity consumption, while the bathroom accounts for 23 percent. Entertainment and lighting are also among the home's biggest energy drainers, accounting for 19 percent and 11 percent of consumption, respectively.
Gjensidige's damage director, Henrik Sagild, is pleased that people have become aware of the importance of saving resources and are good at identifying where the greatest savings can be achieved.
"It's both good for personal finances and the planet's resources that we have become more aware of saving on electricity consumption, and in several cases, a change in behavior can actually also help prevent damage in one's home. In this way, there is more than just one good reason to think about where the greatest savings can be found in the home," he says.
