How to Use Less Electricity Working from Home | UK Energy Saving

Why Working from Home Increases Electricity Usage

Since the rise of remote working, many UK households have noticed a significant spike in their energy bills. When you’re working from home, your electricity consumption increases throughout the day as you heat, light, and power your workspace. According to recent data, working from home can increase household energy usage by up to 20%, depending on your setup and habits.

The good news? There are straightforward strategies you can implement to reduce this impact on your wallet and your carbon footprint. By making conscious choices about how you use electricity during your working day, you could save hundreds of pounds annually on your energy bills.

Optimise Your Workspace Lighting

Lighting is one of the largest electricity consumers in a home office. Many people leave lights on throughout the day unnecessarily, particularly during winter months when natural light is limited.

• Use natural light first: Position your desk near a window to maximise daylight. This eliminates the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours and improves focus and wellbeing.
• Switch to LED bulbs: If you must use artificial lighting, LED bulbs consume 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last considerably longer. A single LED bulb costs around £2-5 but will save you money over time.
• Install task lighting: Rather than lighting an entire room, use a desk lamp to illuminate only your workspace. This targeted approach uses significantly less electricity than ceiling lights.
• Use dimmers: If your lights have dimmer switches, reduce brightness when full illumination isn’t necessary.

Manage Your Computer and Equipment

Your computer, monitor, and peripherals probably run for 8 hours or more daily. Reducing their electricity consumption makes a meaningful difference to your bills.

• Enable power-saving mode: Both Windows and Mac devices have built-in power management settings. Enable these to reduce energy consumption when your computer isn’t actively in use.
• Turn equipment off completely: During lunch breaks and at the end of your working day, switch off your monitor, printer, and other devices entirely. Leaving equipment on standby still consumes electricity.
• Use a power strip: Connect all your office equipment to a single power strip with an on-off switch. This makes it easier to completely disconnect everything at once, eliminating phantom power drain.
• Choose energy-efficient equipment: When replacing devices, look for ENERGY STAR certification, which indicates lower energy consumption.

Control Your Heating

Heating accounts for roughly 40% of the average UK household’s energy bill. Working from home means you might be tempted to keep your entire house warm, which is expensive and wasteful.

• Close doors: Keep doors to unused rooms closed to prevent heating wasted space. Only heat the rooms you’re actively using.
• Use a space heater strategically: If you only need warmth in your immediate workspace, a small electric heater might be more economical than heating the whole house—though check running costs carefully.
• Wear layers: Simply putting on a jumper or thick socks allows you to set your thermostat lower without sacrificing comfort.
• Check your boiler settings: Many households have unnecessarily high boiler temperatures. Lowering yours by just one degree can reduce energy consumption by up to 3%.
• Use thermostatic radiator valves: These allow you to control temperature in individual rooms, ensuring you’re not heating spaces unnecessarily.

Review Your Energy Tariff and Supplier

Using less electricity is only part of the solution. You should also ensure you’re on the best possible energy tariff for your usage pattern.

• Check Ofgem’s price cap: The current energy price cap set by Ofgem establishes the maximum suppliers can charge. Ensure your tariff reflects this.
• Switch suppliers if beneficial: Shopping around can save substantial amounts. Many comparison websites make switching simple and quick. If you’re currently on an expensive fixed deal, switching could save £200-500 annually.
• Consider time-of-use tariffs: Some suppliers offer tariffs with cheaper rates during off-peak hours. If you can shift some usage to these times, you’ll reduce costs.
• Review annually: Energy markets change frequently. Making it a habit to review your tariff yearly ensures you’re not overpaying.

Reduce Water Heating Costs

If you’re using an electric kettle or shower more frequently at home, you’ll notice increased costs. Electricity heating water is expensive.

• Boil only what you need: Fill your kettle with just enough water for your tea or coffee. Boiling excess water wastes both electricity and time.
• Shower strategically: If your shower uses an electric heater, keep showers brief. Every minute under a hot shower costs money in electricity.
• Insulate hot water pipes: Pipe insulation prevents heat loss, keeping water hotter for longer with less reheating required.

Develop Energy-Conscious Habits

Beyond physical changes, cultivating awareness around electricity usage significantly impacts your bills.

• Take screen breaks: Step away from your computer regularly. This naturally reduces electricity consumption whilst improving your health and productivity.
• Schedule tasks strategically: If you use energy-intensive applications, run them during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper on some tariffs.
• Monitor your usage: Many energy suppliers provide online dashboards showing real-time consumption. Checking this regularly helps you identify problem areas and celebrate progress.
• Set reminders: Until energy-conscious behaviour becomes habitual, set phone reminders to turn off lights and equipment.

Track Your Progress and Savings

To stay motivated, track how much you’re saving. Compare your current bills with previous periods—aim for at least a 10-15% reduction. This tangible evidence of your efforts makes the habit changes worthwhile and demonstrates their financial impact.

Take Action Today

Reducing electricity usage whilst working from home doesn’t require expensive upgrades or dramatic lifestyle changes. By implementing these practical strategies—from optimising lighting and equipment management to reviewing your energy tariff—you can meaningfully reduce your bills.

Start with the changes that require no investment, such as adjusting thermostat settings and closing unnecessary doors. Then gradually implement others as budget permits. Compare energy suppliers today using an independent comparison service, and ensure your tariff reflects current Ofgem rates. Even switching suppliers alone could save you hundreds of pounds annually. Combined with conscious usage habits, you’ll see significant reductions in your energy costs whilst contributing positively to environmental sustainability. Your future energy bills will thank you.