25 Ways to Save Energy at Home
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Energy bills make up a large portion of household expenses, with the average electricity bill in Ireland costing €1,817.12 in 2025. With electricity prices remaining high, finding ways to save energy at home is a priority when it comes to lowering houswehol bills. We've compiled 25 of the most effective ways to save energy at home, designed to help you become more energy-efficient and cut back on your utility costs.
Switching Providers: The #1 Way to Save Energy Costs
While daily habits and appliance efficiency are crucial, switching your electricity provider is often the single most impactful way to save money on your energy bills immediately.
Many households in Ireland remain on default or less competitive tariffs out of inertia. Energy providers frequently offer attractive introductory rates and discounts to new customers, which can be significantly lower than what existing customers are paying, which is often higher than the average electricity bill.
By proactively comparing tariffs every 12 months and being willing to switch, you can secure these better deals and potentially save hundreds of euros annually.
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Laundry: Ways to Save Energy on Washing & Drying
Little adjustments in your laundry routine can make a big difference in the ways you save energy.
Wash with Cooler Water:
About 75% of your washing machine's energy goes to heating water. Modern detergents work perfectly in cool cycles (30ºC), significantly cutting electricity use.
Run Full Loads:
Always wait until you have a full load before running your washing machine. Half-loads use disproportionately more water and energy.
Opt for Front-Loaders:
If you're buying a new washing machine, choose a front-loading model. They use up to 40% less water and 30% less electricity than top-loaders.
Air Dry Whenever Possible:
Tumble dryers are massive energy consumers. Hang your clothes outside or on an indoor clothes horse to dry them for free.
Clean Your Dryer's Lint Filter:
A clogged lint filter restricts airflow, making your dryer work harder and use more energy. Clean it after every load for optimal efficiency and safety.
Kitchen: Smart Ways to Save Energy While Cooking & Storing
Your kitchen appliances can be major energy users if not used wisely, but there are many ways to save energy when you cook.
Microwave for Reheating:
Reheating leftovers in the microwave is far more energy-efficient than using a conventional oven, which takes longer to heat up a larger space.
Boil Only What You Need:
When using a kettle or hob, only boil the exact amount of water you require for your tea or coffee. Every excess drop heated is wasted energy.
Defrost Food Completely:
Always fully defrost food in the fridge before cooking. This drastically reduces the cooking time and energy needed by your oven or hob.
Keep Your Freezer Full:
A full freezer runs more efficiently, as frozen items act as thermal mass, helping to maintain cold temperatures. Fill empty spaces with bags of ice or water bottles.
Check Appliance Seals:
Regularly inspect the rubber seals on your fridge, freezer, and oven doors. Gaps allow cold or hot air to escape, forcing the appliance to use more energy to maintain temperature.
Home Heating: Simple Ways to Save Energy & Stay Warm
Efficient heating is key to comfortable living and lower bills, especially during colder months. Discover new ways to save energy in your home's heating system.
Turn Down the Thermostat:
Lowering your thermostat by just 1ºC can save you up to 5% on your heating bills. Aim for 18ºC when active and 16ºC 3at night.
Eliminate Drafts:
Seal gaps around windows and doors with weatherstripping or draft excluders. This inexpensive fix prevents warm air from escaping and cold air from entering.
Improve Your Home's Insulation:
Investing in proper insulation for your attic and walls is one of the most effective long-term strategies to keep heat in and reduce heating demands.
Use a Smart/Programmable Thermostat:
Program your home heating to run only when needed – for instance, half an hour before you wake up and arrive home – to avoid heating an empty house.
Bleed Your Radiators:
If your radiators are gurgling or cold at the top, they likely have trapped air. Bleeding your radiators allows hot water to circulate properly, improving heating efficiency.
Home Electricity: Easy Ways to Save Energy Around the House
Be mindful of your electrical usage beyond major appliances. Here are easy ways to save energy in your daily electrical habits.
Turn Off Lights:
Make it a habit to switch off lights every time you leave a room. It's a simple, free action that quickly adds up to savings.
Unplug "Energy Vampires":
Many electronics draw power even when off or in standby (e.g., phone chargers, TVs, consoles). Unplug them from the wall to eliminate this "phantom load," which can add over €100 annually.
Use Power Strips:
Plug multiple devices into a power strip so you can easily switch them all off with one button, making it simple to combat energy vampires.
Switch to LED Lighting:
Invest in energy saving gadgets such as LEDs. They use up to 80% less electricity for the same light output and last significantly longer.
Use a Smart Meter:
Eliminate estimated bills by having a smart meter installed to make sure that you only pay for the electricity you consume. Go one step forward and considered switching to a smart electricity plan to make savings with a tim-of-use tariff.
Hot Water: Effective Ways to Save Energy on Water Heating
Heating water is a major expense, so optimise your hot water usage. Explore these effective ways to save energy on your hot water bill.
Prefer Showers to Baths:
Showers generally use less hot water than baths. For efficient showering, consider a quick, lower-pressure spray.
Insulate Hot Water Tanks and Pipes:
Wrap your hot water tank with a lagging jacket and insulate exposed pipes. This prevents heat loss, meaning less energy is needed to keep water hot.
Adjust Boiler Thermostat:
There's no need to heat water to scalding temperatures. Turn down your boiler's thermostat to a comfortable 55-60ºC to save energy.
Install Water-Saving Shower Heads:
These inexpensive shower heads reduce water flow without sacrificing pressure, leading to less hot water consumption and lower bills.
Turn Off Hot Water for Holidays:
If you're going away for an extended period, especially in warmer months, switch off your hot water system completely to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.
Implementing even a few of these practical ways to save energy can significantly reduce your household utility bills.
Start with the easiest ones, build new habits, and watch your savings grow while also doing your part for the environment.
Learn More About Energy Saving Our energy guide articles contain lots of useful information on saving energy, the electricity market and how to have a more positive impact on the environment.
Read More of our Energy Saving Guides
- Energy Saving Gadgets to Help You Save Money.
- Which Appliances Use the Most Energy in Ireland?
- Our guide to Hive, Nest, Netatmo, Tado.
- What is a BER Rating?
- How to Save Money While Working from Home
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