6 OCT 2026

How to save energy while working from home: 7 practical tips

Author: Jemesa Landers

The short answer

Working from home can quietly add to your power use, especially when heating, lighting and devices are running for more of the day. To use less electricity, switch off equipment when you’re finished, make the most of daylight, heat only the room you’re using, choose efficient lighting and run appliances when you have a full load. Small changes across the day can add up, especially if you work from home often. 

You don’t need to overhaul your whole routine. A few everyday habits can help you stay comfortable, connected and in control of the power you use at home. 

1. Switch off work equipment at the end of the day

Laptops, monitors, printers and other equipment can keep using electricity while they’re on standby. When work is done, shut down devices and switch them off at the wall if it’s safe and practical. 

A switched power board can make this easier when several low power devices share the same workspace. Be careful not to overload power boards and plug high power appliances such as heaters directly into a suitable wall socket. 

2. Use power saving settings on your laptop and monitor

Set your screen to dim or sleep after a short period of inactivity. Many computers and monitors also have an energy saving mode. These settings reduce unnecessary power use without interrupting your work. 

If you use a separate monitor, check whether it turns off automatically when your laptop sleeps. If it doesn’t, switch it off at the end of the day or when you’re away from your desk for a while. 

3. Make the most of daylight and fresh air

If you can, work in a bright room and position your desk near natural light. On mild days, opening a window may be all you need to stay comfortable. 

Turn lights, fans, heaters and air conditioning off when you leave the room. Heating or cooling an empty home office is energy with nowhere useful to go. 

4. Heat the person or room, not the whole house

Close doors to rooms you’re not using and focus on keeping your workspace comfortable. Before turning the heater up, try a warm layer, socks or a hot drink. 

If you use a heat pump, choose a comfortable setting around 19–22 degrees rather than pushing it to a high temperature. Setting the temperature very high can make your heat pump use more electricity without necessarily making the room comfortable any faster. 

5. Use LED bulbs and task lighting 

An LED bulb uses less electricity than a standard incandescent bulb. A desk lamp can also light your work area without lighting the whole room. 

If other people are home too, make switching lights off a shared household habit. A reminder by the door can work better than another “who left this on?” conversation. 

6. Make home days work for your laundry

Wait until you have a full load of washing, use a cold wash when it suits the clothes and line dry when the weather cooperates. Being home makes it easier to catch a sunny or breezy spell without relying on the dryer. 

If you’re working from home often, small timing shifts can help. For example, you might put a load on during a break, then hang it out before your next meeting. 

7. Reduce extra fridge use

If there are more people at home than usual, the fridge may get opened and closed more often. Each time that happens, the fridge has to work to get back to the right temperature.  

Let hot food cool before putting it in the fridge, avoid leaving the door open while you decide what to eat, and check that seals are clean and closing properly. 

Frequently asked questions

Does working from home use more electricity?

It can, especially if you’re heating, cooling or lighting your workspace for most of the day. Computers and monitors use some power too, but heating and cooling are often the bigger things to watch.  

What uses the most electricity when working from home?

Heating, cooling, lighting, computers, monitors and extra cooking can all add to your daily electricity use. In many homes, heating and cooling make the biggest difference because they run for longer periods and use more power than small devices. 

Is it cheaper to work from one room at home?

Usually, yes. Heating or lighting one workspace is more efficient than trying to keep the whole house comfortable all day. If you can, choose a room that gets good daylight, can be closed off from the rest of the house and stays comfortable without too much extra heating or cooling. 

Should I turn my modem off during the workday?

Probably not — your modem is what keeps you connected and doesn’t use that much electricity. A better place to start is switching off the things you’re not using, like spare screens, printers, chargers or desk lights. 

What is the simplest place to start?

Create a quick end-of-day routine: save your work, shut devices down, switch off unnecessary equipment and check the heater and lights. It only takes a minute, but it can stop power being used after the workday is done.