Reducing energy consumption with technical measures

Before you change anything, it is useful to map out your consumption. Which appliances draw a lot, when during the day does your usage peak, and how much of your solar power do you use yourself? Without that picture you are guessing, and guessing costs money.

With energy management you make that consumption visible and controllable. You can see where your electricity is going and can run heavy consumers when your panels are generating or when the grid is more favourable. You can read more about that in our explanation of energy management.

One of the most effective measures is not to consume less but to plan more smartly. Run your car, heat pump boiler or washing machine when your solar panels are generating rather than drawing from the grid in the evening. That way you use your own power instead of feeding it back.

A charging point with dynamic or smart charging does this automatically: it charges harder when there is a solar surplus. A home battery also helps here, by storing during the day what you need in the evening. These components work best when they are aligned with each other.

Managing electricity smartly helps, but heat that escapes through roofs and walls keeps costing money. Good insulation limits that energy loss: according to the Woningpas of the Flemish government, that is the basis of an energy-efficient home.

Your appliances count too: check the energy label when you buy one.