Christmas lights, electric car, phone charger, two or more tvs, computer, hair drier, shower, home office, homeschooling. And in the Winter, it’s cold. We all want to live in a warm and cozy home. In addition to higher consumption, electricity prices in Norway are sky high. The reasons can be: too little wind, too much cold, lack of rainfall, too much energy exported to Europe. Windmills in Norway are basically to sell energy to the rest of Europe. Nowadays, they can’t sell 100% anymore.
The Norwegian government promised to help those who struggle to pay the bill. According to the Norwegian government’s official website, households will receive support for a power consumption of up to 5,000 kilowatt hours for their monthly consumption. The help package will be valid from December 2021 to March 2022, and will be administrated through the electric companies. The proposal for it to work will be presented to the parliament soon. Check the site here.
Here are my tips:
1. Apps and websites that show the price variation per hour. Check your electric company’s website. This way, you know what time today is more expensive to take a shower, for example. Check out the rates. You see when electricity is cheaper (which hours) during the day. Each day it varies a lot. Rule of thumb is that early in the morning and early in the evening are more expensive. It can be cheaper on weekends.
2. Plan ahead. And avoid rush hour. Once you know what is the best day and time to use electricity, plan your activities like taking a shower in the evening or early morning. Choose the best time to do your laundry. You don’t need to do it every day. Check your priorities.
Which equipments use more energy? TVs nowadays are smart and spare electricity. What consumes more kilowatts is heating the house and the water.
3. Smart charger. Do you have electric car? Have you installed the smart charger in your garage? They use more or less energy according to the best hour. The app informs you know when is the cheapest time to charge. Check my post about electric cars in Norway here.
4. Best heat choices for your place. Varmepumpe is the best alternative. It’s smart and you can select for it to use less kw at night while you sleep, more in the morning while you eat breakfast and so on. Sun panels can be worth it, though installation is very expensive.
5. Make sure your house is well insulated. I hear complains from people who’ve bought old wooden houses in Stavanger because of that. It looks like modern apartments are better insulated and cost less to be heated.
6. Close the doors. Yes, you’ve read correctly. The bedroom, for example, doesn’t need to be warm. Norwegians usually have their bedrooms almost as cold as outside temperature at night. They believe it’s healthier for the lungs. So, if you’re in the living room, watching tv, eating, etc, leave the other doors closed (bedroom, toilet).
7. The old and good fireplace. Ops, I mean the modern and better fireplace. The newest ones keep the heat longer. It’s a great investment. It really helps. In Norway, there are sustainable wood farms that provide good firewood.
8. Slippers, wool socks and rugs. If you wear slippers you don’t need the floor to be so warm. In Norway, you can find really warm slippers.
Bonus: You can this calculator to find the best electric company agreement for you. Click here
If you follow these tips, you’ll see your bill become cheaper than before. Specially when it comes to insulation, heat and shower.
Curious for more lifestyle in Norway from a Brazilian point of view? Check my Instagram.