A fridge runs throughout the day; an oven draws power for a shorter session. Both matter, but they need different saving strategies. Start with the amount of energy used over time, then decide whether that use can move to another hour.
Our calculation from IDAE’s SPAHOUSEC III download, published in 2026, using electricity consumption by use across all three climate zones. The study covers October 2021–September 2022. These are national shares of electricity consumption, not a forecast for your home or a ranking of appliance ownership. Gas and other fuels are excluded. IDAE: SPAHOUSEC III.
| Use | Share of electricity |
|---|---|
| Fridge | 12.93% |
| Other uses | 11.18% |
| Lighting | 9.62% |
| Cooking (separate from oven and microwave) | 9.51% |
| Space heating | 8.03% |
| Washing machine | 6.45% |
| Standby | 6.27% |
| Hot water | 5.9% |
| Oven | 5.8% |
| Air conditioning / cooling | 5.29% |
| TV | 4.33% |
| Microwave | 3.62% |
| Dishwasher | 3.4% |
| Freezer | 3.02% |
| Router | 2.17% |
| Dryer | 1.54% |
| Small appliances | 0.93% |
If you have a storage water heater, its heating schedule may offer flexibility before you need hot water. Use the manufacturer’s timer or supported controls, preserve its temperature and hygiene programmes, and allow enough recovery time. An instantaneous heater serves demand when you use the tap; it is a different case.
These have a clear start and finish, making them useful loads to plan. Choose a time when you can run the full programme and follow the appliance’s operating instructions. Use the actual cycle duration: a quick wash and an Eco programme need different windows.
If meal timing is flexible, compare the hours when you could cook. Use the oven option to estimate a planned session, including preheating. Cooking needs supervision; a cheaper price is not a reason to leave it running unattended. Thermostats also mean the element does not draw full power continuously.
Schedule around occupancy and a comfortable indoor temperature. The benefit depends on insulation, weather, equipment, and how long the home retains heat or cool air. Electric room heaters and heat pumps have different consumption patterns; an approximate preset cannot represent every installation.
Treat these as continuous needs. Keep them operating at the manufacturer’s recommended settings; do not switch them off to chase hourly prices. Check door seals and ventilation, and compare annual kWh on the energy label when replacing an appliance.
For these uses, reducing unnecessary operating time is often more practical than changing the hour. Switch off unused lights and optional devices when suitable, while keeping equipment that needs continuous power connected. Your own meter readings help distinguish a persistent baseline from an occasional large load.
The planner includes an electric storage water heater, oven, and electric room heater alongside laundry, cooling, heat pumps, and EV charging. Preset powers are illustrative and the estimate assumes a constant load. Set a realistic duration and compare the result with your own equipment; cycling appliances may use less than power multiplied by the full elapsed time.