How to reduce electricity use at home
Start by checking how much energy you use, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), then choose one or two changes you can keep up. Moving an appliance to a cheaper hour may cut its cost, but that alone does not reduce its kWh.
Published 14 October 2026 · A Power Window guide
1. Measure before changing habits
Find the kWh on recent bills or in your distributor's customer portal. Compare similar periods, and note whether you used electric heating, cooling or hot water. If hourly readings are available, look for a steady overnight load and recurring peaks. This helps you decide where to act first.
To estimate an appliance's use, multiply its power in kW by the hours it runs: a 1 kW device running for one hour uses about 1 kWh. Thermostats and cycles mean many devices do not draw full power throughout a session; meter readings give a better picture.
2. Start with the uses you can control
Heating and cooling
Heat or cool the rooms and hours you need. Set a comfortable thermostat temperature, close doors and windows while the system runs, and clean filters as the manufacturer recommends. If a room quickly loses heat or cool air, check insulation and draughts.
Hot water
Shorten showers and fix dripping taps. If you have an electric storage heater, check its controls and manual before scheduling it; keep the manufacturer's temperature and hygiene settings.
Laundry and dishes
Run suitable loads in the washing machine and dishwasher, and choose an Eco programme when appropriate. Wash cold when the fabric and detergent allow it. Air-dry when practical; a tumble dryer adds another load.
Fridge and freezer
Check door seals, leave room for ventilation, and follow the manufacturer's temperature guidance. Do not switch them off to avoid expensive hours: they need to run continuously.
Lighting and standby
Turn off lights you do not need and choose LEDs when replacing bulbs. Switch off optional devices left on standby, while keeping equipment that needs continuous power, such as safety or network devices, connected.
New appliances
When it is time to replace an appliance, compare the annual kWh on its energy label alongside size, price and your expected use. Replacing a working appliance solely to save electricity may not pay off.
3. Then check the timing and your tariff
If your energy price varies by hour, running the washing machine, dishwasher or EV charger in a cheaper window can lower the cost of those uses. The programme uses roughly the same kWh; the price per kWh changes. With a flat energy rate, moving the load does not create that hourly saving.
Compare the cost of the full session using its actual duration. Do not leave an oven or any appliance that needs supervision running unattended to catch a cheap hour.
4. Check whether it worked
After a few weeks, compare kWh with a period that had similar usage and outdoor temperatures. If they fell, keep the change. If only your bill fell, check the energy price and other charges: you may have saved money through your tariff while using the same electricity.