In recent unprecedented times, the whole world has seen the price of electricity and gas skyrocket, with energy prices hitting historic levels in 2022 for some countries. Households and businesses are facing higher energy bills amid extreme price volatility, which is having a huge impact on people's cost of living.

Switching to clean power and making your home more energy efficient are great ways to save electricity and reduce your home’s impact on the planet, but there are also everyday tips and habits you can adopt to help reduce the amount of energy you use.

To help you get started, here are our top eight ways to start saving electricity.

1.Turn it off at the switch

When you turn off the TV, do you turn it off at the wall too? Leaving electronics on standby, so they can be turned on at a moment's notice, means electricity is still being used, and your bill is still going up. Turning appliances off at the wall stops this from happening. You could even use a standby saver, which can be controlled remotely, to help make sure those electronics aren’t left on standby.

2.Switch to LED bulbs

While turning off a light switch is the best way to save electricity, LED technology is the next best option. Not only are LED bulbs far more efficient – they use up to 90% less energy than the conventional halogen bulbs – but they last longer, making LEDs the best value lighting solution, saving energy and reducing those bills.

3.Be efficient when cooking

Microwaves are far more efficient than the traditional oven – they use less energy and take far less time. However, sometimes cooking on the hob or in the oven is the only way to go. In this case, use lids when boiling pans and make sure to use the right saucepan on the right ring. These will not only reduce energy costs, but they will reduce cooking time too. You could also try batch cooking to maximize the time the oven is on.

4.Wash clothes on a lower temperature

Washing your clothes at a lower temperature, like 30 degrees, will not only produce the same results, but it will also save electricity. Modern washing powders and detergents work just as effectively at lower temperatures. Waiting until you have a full load before putting a wash on is another cost-effective tip when it comes to saving electricity.

5.Air dry whenever possible

Continuing on from washing tips, tumble dryers have a reputation for consuming large amounts of energy, so it is good to avoid using them whenever possible. If it’s a nice day, you could dry your clothes outside, but air-drying inside is the most common alternative in the winter months. Air flow is helpful to reduce moisture in the air, so open a window, use a fan, or some people choose to use dehumidifiers.

6.Reduce screen time

When you’re sitting at home, it’s so easy to just have one more go at Call of Duty, play one more online casino game or watch one more episode of that trashy sitcom, but reducing your screen time can be a great way to save a bit of electricity. With multiple televisions, computers, and other screened devices charging or drawing electricity while in use, your energy bills can climb without you noticing.

7.Purchase energy efficient appliances

While this can be an expensive habit to get into, it can be a great way of saving money long term. When you’re next looking to buy an appliance, try to ensure you buy one with a high efficiency rating or smart appliances so that it will help you save money every day that it is running. You should also consider the size of the appliance you need and try not to go overboard if you don’t need the biggest one.

8.Don’t boil a full kettle

Whether it’s endless cups of tea and coffee or boiling water for cooking, the average kettle ranks as one of the hardest-working small appliances in the kitchen. So, unless you’re making tea for multiple people, there’s not much need to boil a full kettle. It takes longer to boil and therefore requires more energy to do so. Just by simply filling roughly the amount of water you need to use can save you both money and time.