Saving electricity at home? Since 2000, households have consumed over a quarter more electricity, although per capita consumption has remained practically constant.

‍ ‍ Despite the increase in living standards and the electrification of heating systems, electricity consumption per person increased by only 1% thanks to efficiency gains. Heat pumps are replacing not only inefficient electric heaters but increasingly also oil and gas heating systems. Accordingly, in 2024, around 40% (34% in 2000) of household electricity consumption was used for heat generation for space heating and hot water. Nevertheless, the absolute electricity consumption of households increased. The main reason for this is the strong increase in living space: the energy reference area (EBF; see notes) grew by 32%. The main driver is the population growth in Switzerland, which increased from 7.2 to 9.0 million people. The EBF per person also increased slightly, from 57 to around 60 m². ‍