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The domestic electricity market may not be as volatile as the gas market, but general increases in electrical consumption per household mean consumers can face similarly steep energy bills for electricity if they don't keep on top of their usage habits.
Electricity can be considered essential in modern homes, not only for powering entertainment devices such as televisions and video game consoles, but also for important activities such as cooking or even heating, depending on the type of appliances you have fitted. The greater quantity of electrical devices making their way into homes has seen Britain's energy consumption increase steadily over the years - reportedly jumping by 36 per cent from a total 35.6 million tonnes in 1971 to 48.5 million tonnes in 2001.
However, the figures per household surprisingly increased less rapidly during the same time period, rising just five per cent from 1,870 kilograms of oil equivalent to 1,960 kg per household. Although electricity consumption has inarguably risen over the past few decades, this moderate increase can be explained by the increasing prevalence of more energy efficient devices.
Wherever you look in modern homes, you're likely to see televisions, computers and their associated devices taking up the majority of power sockets, the rest being filled by all manner of chargers for phones and other appliances. Simply by removing these plugs from sockets when they are not in use could reduce electricity wastage in your home, saving you money as well as improving your carbon footprint. But that's only the start of the energy saving activities you can carry out to make your home an energy efficient one.
You've probably heard about the importance of switching devices off properly, rather than leaving them on standby, but without figures to back them up, these claims may not have been very persuasive. The fact is, TVs, computers and other devices left in standby mode typically account for between five and ten per cent of domestic energy use, making them a key focus when attempting to remedy your bad habits.
Lighting can be an even bigger drain on your finances, typically accounting for the largest proportion of household electricity use. Getting into the habit of switching off lights when you leave a room, or installing dimmer switches to better control the amount of light being used, could have an instant and permanent effect on your electrical bills, while fridges and freezers should be defrosted regularly to keep them running at peak efficiency.
Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
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