Electricity Saving Tips When Working From Home
- Maximise natural daylight by positioning your workspace near windows to reduce artificial lighting needs
- Replace standard incandescent lightbulbs with LED bulbs, which use up to 75% less energy and last 25 times longer
- Use task lighting (desk lamps) rather than illuminating entire rooms
- Select energy-efficient office equipment with high ratings (A-rated models)
- Enable energy-saving modes on computers, tablets, and phones
- Use power strips to manage multiple devices and detect standby consumption
- Unplug unused chargers and appliances, as "phantom load" can account for almost 10% of an annual bill
Laptop vs Desktop Efficiency
Laptops are significantly more efficient, consuming 20–50 watts of electricity and designed for portability and battery optimisation.
Desktop computers use substantially more at 65–200+ watts depending on the model, with much higher energy demand when including a monitor.
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Heating Cost Reduction
- Install programmable or smart thermostats to regulate temperature throughout the day
- Seal window and door draughts using blockers or simple materials
- Turn off radiators in unused rooms
- Avoid blocking radiators with furniture
- Close doors to contain heat in occupied spaces
- Regularly bleed radiators to maintain efficiency
- Layer clothing instead of increasing temperatures
- Use small desk fans for cooling without high electricity consumption
- Open windows for natural cross-ventilation
Cooking and Kitchen Energy Savings
- Fill kettles with only the exact water amount needed
- Turn off ovens 10 minutes before completion and use residual heat
- Microwaves, air fryers, and pressure cookers are much more energy efficient and cost less to use than traditional ovens
- Cover pots and pans while cooking
- Avoid frequent oven door openings (loses up to 20% heat per opening)
- Run dishwashers during off-peak hours if available and when fully loaded
- Use lowest effective washing machine temperatures
- Air-dry clothes rather than using tumble dryers, which cost approximately €2 per cycle
High-Cost Appliances
| Appliance | kWh per Hour | Cost per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Shower | 8.5 | €3.62 |
| Tumble Dryer | 5.0 | €2.13 |
| Electric Kettle | 3.0 | €1.28 |
| Electric Heater | 2.5 | €1.07 |
| Electric Oven | 2.0 | €0.85 |
| Dishwasher | 1.8 | €0.77 |
| Hair Dryer | 1.5 | €0.64 |
| Vacuum Cleaner | 1.4 | €0.60 |
| Clothes Iron | 1.0 | €0.43 |
| Microwave | 0.85 | €0.36 |
| Washing Machine | 0.65 | €0.28 |
| Television (36") | 0.2 | €0.09 |
| Refrigerator | 0.18 | €0.08 |
Based on Standard Electric Ireland 24hr rate of 42.65c per kWh (inc. VAT). Last updated November 2025.
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Energy-Saving Gadgets
Smart Plugs (from €14.99)
- Remote on/off control via smartphone
- Programmable activation schedules
- Prevent standby mode waste
Smart Power Strips (from €20)
- Control multiple appliances simultaneously
- Automatic power cutoff for low-usage devices
- Compatible with smart home assistants
Smart Bulbs (from €15)
- Scheduled on/off times
- Brightness and colour temperature adjustment
- Proximity-based auto-shutoff
Radiator Reflectors (from €7.99)
- Budget-friendly option
- Reflects wall-absorbed heat back into rooms
- Simple installation behind radiators
Tax Relief for Remote Workers
Ireland offers e-Worker relief for employees required to work from home. Two relief methods are available:
1. Employer-Paid Allowance
Up to €3.20 per day worked from home, tax-free from Income Tax, USC, and PRSI.
2. Employee-Claimed Rebate
Direct claim to Revenue using the formula:
- Calculate working portion: (Annual utility bill ÷ 365) × days worked from home
- Claim 30% of the resulting figure
Example: For a €1,200 annual electricity bill with 240 remote work days: (€1,200 ÷ 365) × 240 × 30% = allowable expense. Claims require myAccount registration and documentation of utility bills and remote work days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saving Energy While Working From Home
Working from home increases electricity usage due to lighting, computer equipment, and heating. A desktop computer uses 65-200+ watts per hour compared to a laptop's 20-50 watts, and "phantom load" from plugged-in devices can account for almost 10% of your annual bill.
Laptops are significantly more energy efficient, consuming just 20-50 watts compared to 65-200+ watts for desktop computers. Laptops are designed for portability and battery optimisation, making them the better choice for reducing electricity costs while working from home.
Yes, Ireland offers e-Worker relief. Your employer can pay up to €3.20 per day tax-free, or you can claim a rebate directly from Revenue by calculating 30% of the working portion of your utility bills.
The most expensive appliances include electric showers (8.5 kWh, €3.62/hour), tumble dryers (5.0 kWh, €2.13/hour), and electric kettles (3.0 kWh, €1.28/hour). Using a smart thermostat and energy-saving gadgets can help reduce costs.
Smart plugs (from €14.99), smart power strips (from €20), smart bulbs (from €15), and radiator reflectors (from €7.99) are all effective and affordable gadgets that help reduce energy consumption by preventing standby waste and optimising heating.