Save electricity at home and reduce your electricity costs

Saving electricity at home has become an increasingly important issue for many households. Not only to reduce electricity consumption and our impact on the environment, but also to save energy and lower the cost of electricity. Given the ever-increasing cost of electricity per year, many people are looking for simple tips and smart ways to effectively save electricity at home. Here we list our top tips and methods to lower your electricity costs, save energy, and do your bit for the environment.

What affects the price of electricity?

Electricity prices, like the price of almost all other consumer products, are affected by supply and demand. At times of the day when very few people need electricity, the price is lower, while early on weekday mornings when almost the whole country is up making breakfast and using the hairdryer, the price of electricity goes up.The price of electricity is lowest when demand is lowest. Demand for electricity varies throughout the day and is usually lowest in the middle of the night when most people are asleep and not using electricity. Electricity is cheapest between 2 and 4 am. But can you really get a lower electricity bill if you run your washing machine, dryer and dishwasher at night when everyone else is asleep?

How to save the most on electricity? - List of 8 simple tips to reduce your electricity costs at home

1. Use energy-efficient appliances.

When it's time to replace your old appliances, choosing energy-efficient models when buying new ones will pay off. Modern refrigerators and freezers that are energy-efficient appliances can drastically reduce your annual electricity costs. While such appliances are often a little more expensive to buy, it pays to buy energy-efficient gadgets because it lowers your electricity bill over time. Modern technology has often led to a 10-30% reduction in energy consumption.

2. Turn off all lights when leaving a room.

Be sure to always turn off the lights when you leave a room or leave home. Leaving a light on in an unused room for an extended period of time can consume almost as much energy as some household appliances. This is a small effort that can actually make a really big difference in your electricity consumption over time. Always turning off the lights is a simple habit that the whole family can adopt, and can help children become more energy conscious.

3. Set the thermostat to a lower temperature.

Lowering your indoor temperature by just a few degrees has a very significant impact on your overall energy consumption. Set your thermostat in a way that avoids unnecessary fires. It's a simple trick that can lead to big savings, especially during the coldest winter months of the year. According to Göteborgenergi.se, home heating accounts for 60% of household energy consumption. By lowering the thermostat at home, you can reduce your heating costs by about 5%.

4. Insulate your home properly and seal all windows.

By insulating properly, you can keep the heat inside during the winter. You also keep the cold inside during the summer. This reduces the need for heating and cooling, which in turn helps you save electricity. You can read more about savings estimates with good additional insulation here!

5. Use energy saving modes on your appliances.

Many modern appliances allow you to select energy saving modes that reduce electricity consumption when not in use. Activating these modes is a smart and easy way to reduce your electricity consumption without compromising the functionality of the appliance.
If you have an hourly price for electricity and want to use this to your advantage, there are plenty of smart devices that can help. App-controlled electrical outlets with timers, smart appliances with digital scheduling and slow cookers that can cook Saturday lunch while you rest are all modern solutions that suit those who want to take advantage of the hourly rate.

6. Change all light bulbs to LEDs.

Modern LED bulbs use much less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and have a longer lifespan. LEDs provide as much or even better light than traditional incandescent bulbs, so you don't just save electricity - you get even better lighting. Compared to traditional incandescent lamps, it is estimated that LED lamps lead to 70% less electricity consumption.

7. Air dry your laundry.

By avoiding using the dryer, you can reduce your electricity consumption. Air drying is more energy efficient and it is also more gentle on your clothes. More gentle drying extends the life of your clothes, which is also good for the environment.

8. Avoid having appliances in standby mode.

When appliances are in standby mode, they still consume electricity. Therefore, it is better to unplug them from the wall socket when not in use. This will only prevent unnecessary electricity consumption. It can also extend the lifespan of the appliances because they are resting when unplugged.

Other ways to reduce electricity costs

In addition to getting an hourly electricity contract and shifting your electricity use to the cheapest time of day, there are other methods that can help you save on your electricity bill. One long-term option is to invest in energy-efficient household appliances and white goods. New, energy-efficient electronic products often use extremely little electricity compared to older appliances. To put it into perspective, one old appliance can use almost as much energy as several new appliances combined.

Buying a new A rated fridge to replace a 20 year old fridge can really make a positive impact on your electricity bill. The fridge is an appliance that is on 24 hours a day and therefore consumes electricity all the time. Older appliances are not as energy efficient as new ones. The difference in electricity consumption is particularly significant when comparing electricity-hungry appliances such as tumble dryers or vacuum cleaners from the 1990s with modern versions.

Why is it important to save electricity at home?

Saving electricity is not only good for your wallet, it is also important for our planet. Reducing electricity consumption means not only lower costs, but also less impact on the environment and lower carbon dioxide emissions. There are many ways to reduce electricity consumption and save money for more fun things than paying the electricity bill.

Check out Vattenfall's checklist for saving energy and reducing electricity costs!

What uses the most electricity in your home?

When we talk about energy consumption in the home, there are certain appliances and systems that are more likely to account for a larger share of electricity costs than others. First of all, it is worth mentioning heating, especially if you have an electric heating system.

Be smart with your fire and check the insulation to avoid wasting energy here. Next come large appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and washing machines. These appliances are in constant use, and if they are older models or not very energy efficient, they can draw a lot of electricity per year.

Even smaller appliances like computers, TVs and chargers can accumulate a surprisingly large amount of energy consumption, especially if left on or in standby mode. To reduce electricity consumption here, it is important to keep track of your appliances, upgrade to energy-efficient models whenever possible and always turn them off when not in use.

When is electricity cheapest?

When is electricity cheapest? An ever-present topic, especially given that the price of electricity has been a hot topic in recent years. The price of electricity, like most other prices, is driven by the laws of supply and demand. For those on hourly contracts, the price can vary greatly during the hours of the day.

In general, electricity is cheapest at night, when the majority of people are asleep and many workplaces are closed. More specifically, the price usually drops after 22:00 and remains low until after 05:00 in the morning. The absolute lowest prices are usually measured between 02:00 and 04:00.

During the day, the price naturally changes according to demand. Electricity is most expensive in the morning, when people wake up and start their daily routines, and again in the evening when they come home from work or school. So between 07:00 and 09:00 and between 17:00 and 20:00, electricity is usually most expensive.

But what about during the day? For those who aren't night owls or don't want to wash clothes in the middle of the night, it's good to know that electricity prices usually start dropping after 09:00 and start rising again after 16:00. The cheapest daytime electricity is usually found between 12:00 and 15:00, although it is not as cheap as night-time prices.

To take advantage of these fluctuating prices, it is important to have an hourly price contract for your electricity. With this type of contract, your electricity price follows the actual changes in the price of electricity hour by hour. Many electricity companies offer the ability to monitor these prices in real time through their websites or apps, making it easier for consumers to make decisions about when to use their largest energy-consuming appliances.

Keep track of your electricity use and save more.

To really reduce your electricity costs, it's important to keep track of how, where and when your home uses the most electricity. Especially large appliances like refrigerators and freezers can draw a lot of electricity if they are older or not very energy efficient. A good energy meter gives you important insights and real-time data on your electricity use. By monitoring your consumption, you can identify patterns and adjust your consumption accordingly. Electricity costs different amounts at different times of the day, and knowing how you use electricity can help you plan your electricity use in a way that benefits you.

Renewable energy sources can reduce your electricity costs at home.

One way to reduce your electricity costs is to invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines. These technologies have become increasingly affordable and accessible to the public in recent years. Renewable energy from your own energy source can reduce your electricity costs in the long run, and can also give you the opportunity to sell your surplus back to the grid, giving you an even better deal.

By investing in renewable energy sources, you also contribute to more sustainable and cleaner energy production, reducing overall dependence on fossil fuels. In the long term, this can lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases, which is a crucial part of the fight against climate change. Using renewable energy also increases the value of your property, and can be an advantage if you are thinking of selling your home in the future.

Saving electricity can increase the value of your home

When you think of improving your home to increase its value for sale, most people think of things like repainting, styling, decorating or renovating the kitchen and bathroom. But home energy savings can also be an important factor in increasing the value of your home.

Energy improvements not only lead to lower electricity bills for you, but also for future home owners. This is attractive to buyers who are both financially and environmentally conscious. With growing environmental awareness, energy-efficient and green homes are increasingly sought after. Homes with a low carbon footprint will have an increasing advantage in the market.

Energy-efficient homes are also often more comfortable homes. Well-maintained, draught-free windows, proper insulation that keeps the temperature even, and energy-efficient heating contribute to a more comfortable indoor climate. So saving electricity at home is not only good for the environment and your wallet today, but it can also pay off when it's time to sell your home. By demonstrating the improvements you have made and how they reduce the cost of electricity, you can convince potential buyers that your home is an affordable and environmentally friendly choice.

Saving electricity at home benefits both the environment and the economy.

Saving electricity at home and reducing the cost of electricity is not only good for the economy, it is an important action for our planet. It is often a matter of changing small habits and making smart choices in everyday life. Together, a series of small changes can make a huge difference in your overall electricity consumption.

Small savings quickly add up to a noticeable reduction in your costs. In addition, if you choose to invest in renewable energy at home, your efforts will have a noticeable impact on your finances, both today and over time.

Electricity is cheapest when not in use

However, the best way to save money on your electricity bill is the most obvious way: not using electricity at all. This is obviously impossible for almost everyone in Sweden, but the theory behind this idea is just as useful. All the electronics in your home use electricity and if you turn off things you don't use, your overall electricity consumption will go down and your electricity bill will be lower. Turn off the lights in empty rooms, turn off the TV when you go down to the laundry room and turn off the video game console completely instead of having it on standby mode and save money on your electricity bill while being extra kind to the environment.