Energy Consumption Analysis: Be a Detective in Your Own Apartment

In previous posts, we’ve already touched on why I decided to embark on the energy-efficiency journey (remember the foil sandwiches and shadows on the walls?), and even met some of my “energy-hungry beasts.” Now it’s time to get more practical. Specifically, to become a detective in my own apartment and figure out where all that electricity is going. Sounds complicated? Maybe, but trust me—it’s way more interesting than it seems!

At the beginning of my energy-saving journey, I felt a bit lost. I knew I needed to save, and I had replaced all the bulbs with energy-saving ones, yet the electricity bills weren’t dropping much. That’s when I realized I needed a systematic approach. You have to know your “enemy,” or rather, know all your energy consumers by name.

Let’s start with the basics: I no longer leave the computer on “just because” and the TV isn’t humming “in the background.” But there are still tons of devices constantly “sucking” energy. The fridge humming its eternal song, the washing machine “dancing” during laundry, and of course, the microwave that devours so much energy in seconds you could boil a kettle on the stove.

So here’s the question: how do you figure out which one is the main “energy thief”? Fortunately, you don’t need to hire a psychic electrician. There are several simple yet effective methods to help you crack this “dark case.”

Method 1: "Activity Report" (your personal energy diary)

Imagine yourself as an accountant tracking all electricity expenses in your apartment. Sounds boring? Maybe. But it’s actually very effective. All you need is a notebook (or a computer file if you’re modern) and the willingness to record.

For example, over a week, try logging how long each device operates. How many hours a day does the fridge run? How often do you run the washing machine? How much time do you spend on the computer? Record everything, even the smallest details. You’ll be surprised how much time is actually spent on each device. You might think the TV is “on a little,” but it’s humming half the day. Or you might be shocked how often you boil the kettle “just in case.”

This diary will help you identify which devices consume the most energy and where adjustments can be made. For example, if the hairdryer runs 30 minutes daily, maybe dry your hair a bit less often or at a lower heat setting.

Method 2: "Time It" (a little experiment)

This method is a bit more fun. It involves running small experiments with each appliance. For example, measure how much energy the washing machine uses per cycle or how much the oven consumes per hour.

All you need is a standard electricity meter. Record the meter reading before turning on a device, then again after a set time (say, an hour). The difference is the energy consumed. Sounds dull? Maybe, but when you see the meter spinning fast while the microwave is on, it suddenly gets interesting!

This method helps assess each device’s “appetite” and find the main energy “glutton.” You might even hold a “competition” between devices to see which consumes the most energy in a set period. Fun, right?

Method 3: "Vampire Hunt" (detecting standby energy drains)

Some devices appear off but still “suck” electricity. These are “energy vampires”—TVs in standby mode, chargers left plugged in, even computers in sleep mode.

To spot these vampires, use a wattmeter. It plugs between the outlet and the device, showing real-time consumption. You’ll see exactly how much energy disappears “into thin air” when the device seems off.

If you don’t have a wattmeter, feel the device. If it’s warm, it’s consuming energy even when off. Or listen for a faint hum—another sign your device is not asleep but hunting your electricity.

So what do you do with this knowledge?

At first, I thought I’d just record and measure. But energy analysis is not just dry numbers—it’s the first step to conscious consumption. Seeing how much energy your devices devour makes you think about how to reduce it.

For example, unplug devices when not in use. Set energy-saving modes on your computer. Or stop “checking” the fridge every five minutes for no reason.

Of course, this is just the beginning. In future posts, I’ll show specific actions to reduce electricity bills. But first, it’s crucial to understand where your electricity actually “flows.”

So I urge you: become a detective in your own apartment! Grab a notebook, meter, or wattmeter, and start analyzing your energy consumption. You may be surprised how many “energy thieves” hide in your home. And most importantly—you’ll gain valuable knowledge to make your home more energy-efficient and save money. Remember, every unplugged device is a small step toward a big victory. And another reason not to eat foil-wrapped sandwiches in the dark!

Home Energy Consumption Analysis

To understand which devices in your home consume the most electricity, use this table. Record your observations and experiments.

Device	Average Daily Usage (hours)	Power (W)	Approx. Daily Consumption (Wh)	Note
Fridge	24	100	2400	Check the energy efficiency class.
Washing Machine	1	1000	1000	Depends on the washing mode.
TV	3	80	240	Varies by model.
Computer	4	100	400	Power depends on computer type.
Microwave	0.2	1200	240	Consumes a lot in a short time.
Lighting (all lamps)	5	60	300	Check lamp type (LED, halogen).
Kettle	0.3	2000	600	Short but high consumption.
Hairdryer	0.3	1800	540	Power depends on model.
Charger (phone/laptop)	24	5	120	Even if not charging, it draws some energy.

Note: These are approximate values. Actual electricity consumption may vary depending on device model and usage conditions. Use this table as a template for your own observations.