by Tim Harry

Created on: June 19, 2010   Last Updated: July 11, 2010

An increasing number of people are concerned about their own personal consumption of electricity. Energy conservation is seen by some as a way of reducing the amount of fossil fuels burned, and the pollution that this causes, and to some people is seen as a way of reducing the amount of money they spend on household bills. Utility bills make up a significant percentage of most home's outgoings, and so knowing how to save money on electricity can be financially important.

One of the first things to consider when it comes to saving money on electricity is to find out whether the company providing the electricity is the cheapest available. In the United Kingdom the days of single energy suppliers has long gone, and now there is a whole range of energy companies looking to provide the electricity. In a fair market, competition reduces the price of a product or service, and although there may not seem to be a huge difference between tariffs, choosing the wrong one could cost a great deal of money over the year.

Saving on energy usage is the other main way to save money on electricity. Innovation around the home has seen electricity usage increase drastically. Things like washing machines, tumble dryers, and blenders have all replaced manual jobs, but all need electricity to work. A total saving on electric bills could be made by reverting to the manual approach, but few people now have the time or desire to do so. More efficient usage of machines and other electric consuming devices around the home can help to save a certain amount of money.

Probably the easiest area to save money on electricity is with the home’s lighting. Many people have a habit of leaving lights on when they leave the room. There has long been a mistaken belief that switching lights on and off continually would use more electricity than simply leaving them on, although this is a false belief. Simply turning off lights when they are not needed will save a huge amount of money each and every month. Switching light bulbs to energy saving light bulbs will also make a difference to the electric bill when the lights are turned on.

It is also a good idea to switch off other devices around the home when they are not being used. The television, computers and chargers all use electricity in relatively large amounts, and will continue to do so even when they are in standby mode. Turning plugs off will prevent electricity being used.

The idea of only using electricity when necessary is also relevant to other appliances around the home. Washing machines and tumble dryers should only really be used when they have a full load, as this will cut down on the number of times they will need to be used. Lower washing temperatures will also help to reduce energy consumption. Kettles should only be filled with the required amount of water, as this will decrease the boiling time, and the kettle consumes a lot of electricity for the time it is use.

When it comes to saving money on electricity there is a lot that can be done. Shopping around for the best deals on electricity supply, improving the efficiency of existing appliances, and seeking more efficient appliances when new items are purchased will all help. It is though about awareness of options, and also about how much electricity is actually used around the home.

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