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We saved energy this winter, but not because of any particular plan. It's because it was just warmer and we didn't need to turn on as many radiators. we have a

We saved energy this winter, but not because of any particular plan. It's because it was just warmer and we didn't need to turn on as many radiators. we have an apartment at the top of an old house that has old pipes, every winter we have every radiator on and we still freeze in the top of the house. This winter we had basically half the radiators on. The neighbor also noted a month ago that the heating for the whole house cost less this year than it normally does, and that the heating company had given money back.

tfourb 4y ago
At least in Germany households use about 10% less energy compared to prior winters at similar temperatures. Industry and commerce saved similar amounts.
- f6v 4y ago
  How does industry save electricity? By cutting the production?
  - tfourb 4y ago
    Partly for heating as well – industrial buildings need to be heated but are generally not very well insulated so turning down the temperature by a few degrees results in nice savings at the cost of people having to wear a warm sweater. But there is also "process heat" (at least that is the term in German), which is heat needed to make stuff. You can make less stuff or make it more efficiently. Same thing with electricity and the use of natural gas in certain industrial processes.
    - f6v 4y ago
      Right, but i thought you can’t make a factory more efficient on a whim. Especially somewhere like Germany. So when they say the industry cut the consumption within last year then the first thing they comes to mind is less production.
  - tgsovlerkhgsel 4y ago
    Reducing energy consumption: Cutting production because it's no longer economically viable with the increased energy prices, and maybe to a much smaller extent switching to more efficient methods If you're only looking at one energy source: Switching to another. For example, gas was scarce and expensive while oil was less affected, so some factories switched from gas to oil (some systems can be switched relatively easily).
    - KptMarchewa 4y ago
      Gas was most expensive _prior_ to winter. Now it's below 2021 prices.
lynx23 4y ago
I applaud the fact that there was apparently no plan. I am done with government planning things for the masses. The pandemia has shown that they are definitely not capapble of doing so, and if they try, they end up becoming more totalitarian. And yes, I agree with you, most of the savings come from a fairly mild winter. I saved some 20% heating by buying 10 EUR rubber bands to isolate the old windows and doors in my apartment. I guess some people have done something similarily simple...

tfourb 4y ago

At least in Germany households use about 10% less energy compared to prior winters at similar temperatures. Industry and commerce saved similar amounts.

f6v 4y ago
How does industry save electricity? By cutting the production?
- tfourb 4y ago
  Partly for heating as well – industrial buildings need to be heated but are generally not very well insulated so turning down the temperature by a few degrees results in nice savings at the cost of people having to wear a warm sweater. But there is also "process heat" (at least that is the term in German), which is heat needed to make stuff. You can make less stuff or make it more efficiently. Same thing with electricity and the use of natural gas in certain industrial processes.
  - f6v 4y ago
    Right, but i thought you can’t make a factory more efficient on a whim. Especially somewhere like Germany. So when they say the industry cut the consumption within last year then the first thing they comes to mind is less production.
- tgsovlerkhgsel 4y ago
  Reducing energy consumption: Cutting production because it's no longer economically viable with the increased energy prices, and maybe to a much smaller extent switching to more efficient methods If you're only looking at one energy source: Switching to another. For example, gas was scarce and expensive while oil was less affected, so some factories switched from gas to oil (some systems can be switched relatively easily).
  - KptMarchewa 4y ago
    Gas was most expensive _prior_ to winter. Now it's below 2021 prices.

lynx23 4y ago

I applaud the fact that there was apparently no plan. I am done with government planning things for the masses. The pandemia has shown that they are definitely not capapble of doing so, and if they try, they end up becoming more totalitarian. And yes, I agree with you, most of the savings come from a fairly mild winter. I saved some 20% heating by buying 10 EUR rubber bands to isolate the old windows and doors in my apartment. I guess some people have done something similarily simple...