Winter electricity consumption in Israel tends to be higher than the annual average due to heating systems running most hours of the day. You can reduce these expenses through simple and effective methods while still maintaining comfortable seasonal temperatures. Here are some warm recommendations for a pleasant and economical winter.
Home Heating: Air Conditioning is Your Best Option
Air conditioning is the most efficient way to heat your home during Israeli winters, two to three times more effective than other heating methods.
For economical air conditioner use don’t raise the temperature too high. The recommended temperature for winter months is 20* Celsius. Each additional degree increases the operating cost by approximately 5%.
Clean the filters regularly. Dirt in the air conditioner filter forces it to work harder to heat the room, consuming more energy and reducing heating efficiency.
Direct the air conditioner vents downward. Warmer air rises to the upper part of the heated space, so it’s important to direct the heat distribution vents downward to ensure free air flow from the unit into the room.
Make sure all windows and doors are closed when operating heating systems. Verify that openings are sealed properly. Windows or doors that aren’t sealed well, cause heat loss, prevent proper warming, and force your air conditioner (or any other heating method you use) to waste unnecessary energy trying to heat.
Dress Warmly
Warm clothing retains your body heat. Even at home, dress in warm and comfortable clothes. You don’t need to put all the work on your heating system. Additionally, you can use a standard, well-sealed hot water bottle that you can fill with hot water, which can also do a decent job. Remember to check that the bottle is sealed and not too thin.
Drink Hot and Smart
In winter, most of us drink more hot beverages that warm our bodies from within. The electric kettle sitting in your kitchen may look innocent, but it’s one of the most wasteful appliances in terms of electricity because water has high heat capacity. This means significant energy investment is needed to heat it.
If all you want is to make a cup or two of tea, heat only the amount of water you need.
Additionally, clean the limescale that accumulates in the kettle from time to time. When the heating element is covered with limescale, its heat conductivity is damaged and the kettle’s operation becomes less efficient, increasing energy consumption with each use.
Switch to Energy-Efficient Bulbs
In winter, we use artificial lighting more. It’s recommended to replace incandescent bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent bulbs or LED bulbs. Using them will reduce household electricity consumption for lighting by approximately 80%.
Time Your Shower
Activate the water heater, only close to when you’ll use the water. When a water heater runs constantly, the water heats and cools unnecessarily, and expensive energy is wasted. It’s enough to turn on an electric water heater for about 10 to 15 minutes. If the heater doesn’t heat the water in a relatively short time, something is probably wrong with it and you need to call a technician. As with the kettle, the main problem affecting the heater’s function is limescale buildup on the heating element.
Additionally, it’s recommended to hire a licensed electrician to install a timer, which will allow you to plan the heater’s operating times in advance. There are also smart switches for operating the water heater that connect to your home internet network and are controlled through a mobile app.
It’s important to remember that if you have a solar water heater at home, you don’t always need to turn on the electric heater. During the warm daytime hours, the winter sun often succeeds in heating the water, so it’s recommended to check its status before turning on the electric heater.
Dry Correctly
Israel averages about 60 rainy days per year. In practice, most winter days in Israel are rain-free. Therefore, even during this season, you can dry wet laundry on clotheslines.
Choosing an Electricity Provider
At the end of July 2024, a reform was launched in Israel’s electricity market. As part of the reform, the electricity market opened to additional suppliers beyond the Israel Electric Corporation. Now it’s possible to switch to a private electricity provider and receive a discount of between 7% to 20%.
Several private electricity companies currently exist, and it’s important to check what each offers before choosing one. Some electricity providers are also telecommunications providers and offer benefits to those who use both their electricity services and their cellular or internet services. It’s important to emphasize that the Israel Electric Corporation will still handle infrastructure and is the address for handling outages.
Wishing you a warm, economical, and safe winter!
