How do I reduce the amount of electricity I use?

With high electricity prices remaining a constant concern, many people around the UK are worried about how much energy they use. At SmartShift, we believe everybody has the right to the electricity they need - that’s why we launched our smart tariff comparison tool to help you find the right tariff and get more for less.

That said, many people are looking for ways to cut back on their electricity consumption and get in control of their bills, which we totally support. But with confusing and often contradictory advice all over the internet, how can you be sure you’re actually saving money - and not just wasting your time?

Energy vs power - what's the difference?

Before we get started, let's understand the difference between power and energy:

• Power (measured in watts or kilowatts) can be compared to how quickly water flows through a pipe - the rate at which energy is used. 

• Energy (measured in kilowatt-hours or kWh) is equivalent to the total amount of water flowing through the pipe over time. These are the units your energy supplier bills you for.

The total energy consumed depends on both the power drawn AND the length of time a device is used. A short burst of high power might use less energy than a lower power appliance running for hours.

So how much energy do home devices typically use?

Understanding how much energy different devices use isn’t easy. We’ve had a look at the annual energy consumption of some classic household devices to help you understand.

Understanding the relationship between power and energy can completely change how you approach saving electricity. Let's break down some of these common household items and compare the different amounts of power they draw and the energy they use.

Low power, low energy

• LED lightbulbs use about 85% less energy than traditional bulbs. Here's the surprising bit: with modern LEDs, you don't need to be religious about turning them off when leaving a room for a few minutes. We’re not saying to leave the lights on purposely, but the energy saved by switching to LEDs is so significant that the small amount used by leaving them on briefly is negligible. Save your energy-saving efforts for the real guzzlers of electricity!

High power, low energy

• Your microwave might draw 1000+ watts, or 1 KW (that's high power!), but don't worry - it's only on for minutes at a time. In fact, using your microwave to reheat food is far more efficient than using your oven.

Low power, high energy

• Your fridge has modest power requirements but runs constantly, making it a relatively high energy user overall. When replacing appliances that run continuously, efficiency ratings matter far more than for occasional-use items.

High power, high energy

• Electric heaters, heat pumps, tumble dryers and older hot water cylinders fall here. These are your priority targets for energy reduction and efficiency. For example, a tumble dryer might use 2-3 kWh per cycle, costing around 50-75p each time. Using a clothes horse just twice a week instead could save you £50+ annually.

Conclusion

The key takeaway? Don't waste effort obsessing over small savings that make little difference. Some popular energy-saving tips (like unplugging rarely-used appliances or turning off LED lights for brief periods) simply aren't worth the hassle for the pennies saved.

Instead:

• Focus on the items that use the most energy over time;

• Don't be scared of high-power appliances if they're only used briefly;

• Consider how frequently and how long you use each device;

• Upgrade the most inefficient, frequently-used appliances when possible.

Following this guide can help you avoid classic pitfalls and focus on changes that actually matter. And if you're looking to save even more on your bills, why not use our smart tariff comparison tool to see if using a smart tariff could help you save even more?