Saving electricity while working from home: 10 simple tricks for your energy bill

Working from home has long since become the new normal for many. Whether in a city apartment, a detached house, or a shared flat – the home office saves commuting time, offers flexibility, and often brings more peace and quiet to everyday life. But one thing is frequently overlooked: electricity consumption.

When the workplace moves from the company to one's own home, private energy costs rise noticeably. Laptop, monitor, lights, heating, chargers – they all run during the day, often for hours on end.

Saving electricity while working from home This is therefore not only good for the environment, but also for your wallet. With a few simple yet effective measures, the overall impact can be significantly improved – without sacrificing comfort or productivity.

1. Laptop instead of desktop: Why less power is often enough

Many people automatically reach for a large desktop PC with multiple monitors when working from home. But that's often unnecessary. Modern laptops offer sufficient performance for everyday tasks such as emails, word processing, video conferencing, or project management.

A desktop computer with a separate monitor, mouse, speakers and graphics card can easily consume over 200 watts when actively running.

A laptop, in comparison, requires only about a quarter of that – often even less. If the device also has an energy-saving display and automatically goes into sleep mode, consumption can be reduced even further.

Those who can work remotely should use their laptop strategically and only connect an external monitor when needed. This keeps the workspace flexible – and reduces electricity costs without sacrificing quality.

2. More light with less energy: Proper lighting saves costs

A well-lit workspace is important – but not every light source is efficient. Halogen lamps or classic incandescent bulbs are still commonly used, especially in older homes. These consume significantly more electricity compared to modern LED lights.

Who Saving electricity while working from home The key is to improve the lighting. LED lamps are now available in all color temperatures – from warm white to neutral white – and deliver full brightness instantly. They also last significantly longer than conventional lights.

Furthermore, it's worthwhile to focus on targeted workplace lighting: A desk lamp with focused light saves unnecessary energy compared to general room lighting. Even better is to utilize as much natural daylight as possible.

A workplace near the window not only reduces electricity costs, but also has a positive effect on well-being and concentration.

3. Always switch devices off completely: Standby mode costs more than you think

In a home office, many devices run around the clock – even when they are not actively being used. Printers, monitors, routers, and external hard drives consume power even in standby mode. Over the course of a year, this can result in considerable additional costs.

A Wi-Fi printer that is never switched off incurs between €10 and €15 in electricity costs annually, even in standby mode. Multiplying this effect across multiple devices quickly leads to unnecessary expenses.

The solution: power strips with individual switches or smart plugs. With the push of a button, the entire workspace is disconnected from the mains power supply. This is particularly useful overnight or on weekends. Even better: unplug devices that are only used occasionally.

This measure is easy to implement – and saves real money in the long run, without any restrictions on usage.

++ The smart home revolution in energy efficiency.

4. Replace old technology: Identify and replace energy guzzlers

Not all existing technology is suitable for energy-efficient working at home. Older devices, such as CRT monitors, oversized printers, or outdated chargers, are particularly energy guzzlers. They consume more energy than modern alternatives – often with inferior performance.

A CRT monitor can draw up to five times more power than a modern LED screen. Old power supplies heat up unnecessarily, even when no device is connected. Devices without energy-saving modes or automatic shut-off also result in high everyday costs.

Anyone who regularly works from home should check their equipment. Sometimes investing in new technology pays off after only a short time – through lower running costs.

Those who pay attention to energy efficiency labels such as the EU label or the "Blue Angel" make a better choice when buying.

5. Use electricity meters: Transparency brings control

Many people misjudge their electricity consumption. What seems to use little can turn out to be unexpectedly energy-intensive. Electricity meters can help in this situation.

With such a small device, which is simply plugged in between the socket and the consumer, the actual energy consumption of laptops, printers or routers can be measured – in real time and over longer periods of time.

This transparency is crucial for taking targeted action. Knowing how much electricity each device consumes allows you to prioritize: replacement, timer switches, optimized usage. This often makes it possible to identify – and eliminate – the biggest energy guzzlers in your home office.

The devices are inexpensive, easy to use, and offer significant added value. Especially in households with many technical components, they are a sensible addition to any zero-waste strategy.

6. Use timers and smart plugs cleverly

In a home office, many devices are in operation for hours at a time without actually being needed continuously. Routers, speakers, docking stations, and external hard drives, in particular, are often ready to use, but not constantly required.

Smart plugs or classic timers can help control these energy guzzlers. This allows certain devices to be automatically supplied with power only during working hours – and then reliably disconnected afterwards.

Particularly practical: Some smart models can be controlled via apps, analyze consumption, and even generate statistics. Those who regularly work fixed hours can thus significantly reduce energy consumption – entirely without manual intervention.

Even chargers for smartphones or laptops don't need to be left plugged in overnight. A timer switch cuts off the power supply after two hours – efficient, safe, and energy-saving. Small technology, big impact: automating electricity flow saves money in the long run.

7. Efficiently operate internet routers and network devices

Many users leave their Wi-Fi router switched on 24 hours a day – out of convenience or out of concern that a constant connection is necessary. But this not only wastes energy unnecessarily, but in many cases is simply superfluous.

Those who work exclusively from home during the day don't need continuous Wi-Fi coverage. Modern routers consume between 5 and 15 watts in continuous operation – that sounds low, but adds up to over 30 kilowatt hours per year.

The solution: timer control. Many routers offer internal settings that allow you to program quiet hours. If you prefer not to use them, you can also use smart plugs.

Here too, the rule applies: the more precisely working hours are planned, the more efficiently devices can be operated. Even a small switch that is disconnected from the mains at night saves a noticeable amount of electricity over the course of the year.

8. Consistently use energy-saving mode – on all devices

Many computers and monitors have sophisticated energy-saving functions – they just need to be activated. Unfortunately, these options are often overlooked in everyday use. Instead, screens remain permanently active, hard drives continue to spin, and laptops run at full power – even when idle.

The operating system allows you to create energy-saving profiles that activate automatically after a few minutes of inactivity. The screen is dimmed, the processor is throttled, or the system is put into standby mode.

Accessories such as printers, scanners or USB hubs can also be automatically switched off after a period of inactivity – provided that the functions are activated.

The advantage: These adjustments run in the background without disrupting the workflow. And they deliver quick results. Those who take regular breaks throughout the day should ensure that their devices also "pause" along with them.

This allows Saving electricity while working from home – completely effortless.

9. Optimize room temperature and heating

Electricity consumption isn't the only issue when working from home – heating costs also rise significantly when work is done during the day. Those who are now working from home instead of in the office heat additional rooms for longer periods and more intensively.

But resources can be saved here too: The room temperature should not exceed 20 degrees Celsius – every additional degree increases energy consumption by around 6 TW. Regular short bursts of ventilation instead of continuous ventilation save heat, while insulated windows and closed doors help to keep the temperature stable.

Additionally, a rug under the desk or a warm layer of clothing can ensure that the heating does not need to be turned up higher.

Digital thermostats that can be controlled via apps also help to regulate the temperature – and thus specifically reduce heating costs. This makes working from home not only more efficient, but also more comfortable.

10. Consciously link working time and electricity consumption

The last trick is less technical – but particularly effective: those who structure and organize their working time in a bundled manner automatically save electricity.

Instead of constantly switching between tasks, haphazardly turning devices on and off, or leaving everything open, a clear daily plan is worthwhile. Organizing your work in blocks allows you to consciously switch off – not just mentally, but also electronically.

Breaks can also be used to put the screen into sleep mode or unplug the laptop. Those who only make calls at certain times can also consciously use headsets or microphones – thus saving not only energy but also reducing sensory overload.

Saving electricity while working from home It often starts in the mind. Those who bring mindfulness to their digital environment quickly recognize new potential savings – effortlessly, but effectively.

Conclusion: Working efficiently and saving electricity at the same time – it's possible.

Working from home is here to stay – and with it, the increased electricity demand in private households. But this trend doesn't necessarily have to lead to higher bills.

Significant savings can be achieved in everyday life with simple measures, some preparation and a more conscious approach to technology.

Those who use a laptop instead of a desktop, consistently switch off devices, activate energy-saving modes and replace old technology not only reduce electricity consumption, but also stress in the work environment.

Many of these steps are small, cost little or nothing – and pay off after just a few weeks. Overall, this creates a new awareness of energy, efficiency, and sustainability.

Companies also benefit: those who motivate their employees to behave efficiently or support them with sustainable equipment not only save resources, but also strengthen awareness of environmentally friendly working practices.

Saving electricity while working from home Therefore, it's not a sacrifice. It's a gain – for the environment, for your wallet, and for working better from home.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about saving electricity while working from home

1. Does it really make a big difference to switch off all devices after work?
Yes. Many devices consume power continuously in standby mode. Using power strips with individual switches or deliberately disconnecting devices results in noticeable savings over the course of a year.

2. Is the purchase of a new laptop worthwhile in terms of electricity consumption?
Often, yes. Older devices not only consume more electricity but also operate less efficiently. Those who work from home for several hours a day will notice the savings after just a few months.

3. Are smart home devices really beneficial in terms of electricity consumption?
Yes – if they are used strategically. Smart plugs, timers, or thermostats provide control and help with targeted energy savings.

4. How can I reduce heating costs in my home office?
Lower room temperatures, closed doors, short ventilation periods, and digitally controlled radiators all help save energy. Layering clothing also helps.

5. Which devices are the biggest energy consumers in a home office?
Outdated monitors, desktop PCs, large laser printers, or routers without a timer. A power consumption measurement can provide clarity here.