Cost & footprint
Where does your electricity go?
Before investing in generation, it is worth looking at consumption. A saved kilowatt hour costs nothing — a generated one costs at least eight cents.
How we calculate
Calculation model
- 01
Each appliance is accounted for via power draw and usage time, or via a typical annual consumption.
- 02
Permanent loads are charged 8,760 operating hours; occasional appliances use the frequency you enter.
- 03
The total is set against the reference consumption of comparable households.
- 04
For each appliance, the gap to an efficient reference model is reported as savings potential.
Good to know
- A German two-person household averages about 3,000 kWh a year, or roughly 4,000 kWh with electric water heating.
- Permanent loads are usually less conspicuous and more expensive than assumed: 10 W around the clock is 88 kWh a year.
- Replacing a 15-year-old fridge typically saves 150 to 250 kWh annually.
Frequent questions
Answered briefly.
How do I find my base load?
At night, switch off everything you consciously use and read the meter an hour apart. The difference is your base load. Above 200 W points to avoidable permanent loads.
Is replacing old appliances worth it?
For fridges and freezers almost always, because they run continuously. For washing machines and dishwashers rarely on energy grounds alone — there the embodied energy of a new unit dominates.
How does this relate to my balcony solar system?
Very directly: a high, steady base load raises self-consumption and therefore savings. Knowing your base load lets you size the inverter correctly.
Goes well with
All results are model calculations based on your inputs and statistical reference data. They do not replace individual professional planning.