Energy-saving tips
Switch appliances off completely instead of leaving them on standby – saves up to 10% of electricity.
7°C in the fridge and -18°C in the freezer are ideal.
Washing at 30°C instead of 60°C saves up to 40% of the energy.
Energy-efficient appliances save significantly more in the long run than they cost.
Run large consumers at night, if your tariff supports it.
Compare tariffs – savings of up to €600 a year are possible.
Frequently asked questions
The formula is: power (watts) × operating time (hours) ÷ 1,000 = consumption (kWh). Multiply the result by your electricity price per kWh to get the cost.
An average German household uses around 3,500 kWh per year (two-person household). Single people use about 2,000 kWh, families with children up to 5,000 kWh.
According to the BDEW (the German Association of Energy and Water Industries), the average household electricity price in 2026 is around 37 cents per kWh (3,500 kWh annual consumption, with the standing charge included pro rata). Cheap new-customer tariffs are often below this, the default supply tariff (Grundversorgung) usually above. The BDEW expects new-customer prices to rise again from October 2026 because of higher wholesale prices.
The biggest power guzzlers are: fan heaters, air conditioners, electric cookers, tumble dryers, hot-water boilers. Appliances that run continuously, such as the fridge and the router, also use a lot because of their long running times.
Calculating electricity costs: how our kWh calculator works
Electricity costs are among the biggest items in household running costs in Germany. According to the BDEW (Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft, the German Association of Energy and Water Industries), the average electricity price in 2026 so far is 37.3 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for households using 3,500 kWh a year – slightly lower than in 2025, mainly because grid charges have fallen. With our free electricity cost calculator you can quickly and easily work out what your household appliances really cost.
Based on the power consumption in watts, the daily usage time and your own electricity tariff, the calculator works out the exact cost per day, month and year. That gives you a transparent overview of your electricity costs and lets you spot potential savings.
Electricity prices in Germany 2026 – overview
| Tariff type | Price per kWh | Annual cost (3,500 kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Default supply (Grundversorgung) | approx. 38-45 cents | €1,330 – €1,575 |
| Cheapest provider (comparison) | approx. 27-32 cents | €945 – €1,120 |
| Green electricity tariff | approx. 28-35 cents | €980 – €1,225 |
| Night-time electricity (peak/off-peak) | 18-22 cents (off-peak) | €630 – €770* |
* Assuming 70% of consumption at night. The ranges are indicative figures including a pro rata standing charge. Average of all households in 2026 according to the BDEW electricity price analysis: 37.3 cents/kWh. As of: October 2026.
Understanding and optimising your electricity use
What affects your electricity costs?
The size of your electricity bill depends on several factors. The most important is of course your electricity consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh). One kilowatt hour is the energy an appliance with a power of 1,000 watts uses in one hour. A 100-watt television that runs for 10 hours also uses exactly 1 kWh.
The second decisive factor is your electricity tariff. Between the expensive default supply (Grundversorgung) and the cheapest provider there is often a gap of 10-15 cents per kWh – for an average household that is up to €500 in savings per year.
The biggest power guzzlers in the home
Not all appliances put the same strain on your electricity bill. Here are the typical annual consumption figures of the most common household appliances:
- Fridge (A++): 100-150 kWh/year = €27-40
- Freezer: 150-250 kWh/year = €40-68
- Washing machine (200 washes): 150-200 kWh/year = €40-54
- Tumble dryer: 300-400 kWh/year = €81-108
- Television (55-inch LED): 80-120 kWh/year = €22-32
- Gaming PC: 400-800 kWh/year = €108-216
- Wi-Fi router: 50-80 kWh/year = €14-22
Standby consumption: the hidden cost
Many appliances use electricity even when they are switched off. This so-called standby consumption can add up to as much as 400 kWh per year per household – roughly €100 that you simply throw away. Particularly problematic are:
- Televisions and set-top boxes (5-15 watts on standby)
- Games consoles (up to 20 watts on standby)
- Computers and monitors (3-8 watts each)
- Printers and scanners (5-10 watts)
- Chargers with no device connected (0.5-2 watts)
Tip: Use switchable power strips to cut a whole group of appliances off the mains completely with one click.
Understanding energy efficiency classes (as of 2026)
Since March 2021, new energy labels have applied in the EU. The A+, A++ and A+++ classes were abolished – the scale now runs from A (best efficiency) to G (worst). When buying a new large appliance you should aim for at least class C or better.
A class A fridge uses about 50% less electricity than a comparable class F model. Over a service life of 15 years, that can save you several hundred euros.
More frequently asked questions about electricity costs
The most accurate way is with an energy meter (from about €15). Plug it in between the socket and the appliance and read off the consumption after a few days. Modern smart-home plugs offer this function too and let you monitor usage via an app. Alternatively, you can estimate an appliance’s consumption with our calculator, using its wattage (shown on the rating plate) and the approximate usage time.
As a rule, replacing an appliance that is more than 15 years old almost always pays off. An old class B or C fridge often uses 150-200 kWh more per year than a modern class A appliance. At an electricity price of 37 cents/kWh, that saves you €55-74 a year. After 10 years the new appliance has paid for itself through the electricity savings alone.
Yes, significantly. A typical laptop uses only 30-60 watts in operation, while a desktop PC with a monitor draws 150-400 watts. With 4 hours of use a day, a laptop saves around 175-500 kWh a year – that is €47-135. Gaming laptops do use more (80-180 watts), however, and come close to desktop levels.
That depends heavily on the wash temperature: at 30°C one cycle uses about 0.3-0.5 kWh (11-19 cents at 37 cents/kWh), at 60°C it is 0.9-1.2 kWh (33-44 cents), and for a 90°C boil wash as much as 1.5-2.0 kWh (56-74 cents). So use the eco programme and choose only as high a temperature as you really need.
With electricity prices of around 37 cents/kWh (BDEW average 2026) and a feed-in tariff of 7.70 cents/kWh (up to 10 kWp, commissioned from 1 August 2026), the main benefit is self-consumption. A typical 10 kWp system produces about 9,000-10,000 kWh a year. With 30% self-consumption you save around €1,000 in electricity costs and receive a good €500 a year in feed-in tariff. The system pays for itself in 8-12 years.
For a good overview we recommend noting the meter reading monthly. That way you spot consumption peaks quickly and can take action. With smart meters (digital electricity meters) you can often follow consumption in real time via an app. At the very least, you should read it quarterly to avoid nasty surprises with the annual bill.
