What uses the most energy at home?

Utility bills are often the only way we see how much energy is used in our homes. But it can be difficult to tell from a bill how and when that energy was used, and where savings could be made. In this section we look at where the most energy is used at home, so you can make the changes that best suit you and your household.

In the average Irish home* the vast majority of energy (81%) is used by heating and hot water. It’s here that you’ll have the best chance of making big savings. You can also make savings on the energy used by your home appliances, laundry, lighting and cooking.

* SEAI 2020

Heating: 61%

Heating accounts for the largest portion of energy used in your home. It’s here that you have the biggest chance of making savings. 

Hot Water: 20%

Heating the hot water for your taps, bath and shower takes up the next largest portion, at about one fifth of your overall use. 

Lighting and Appliances: 16%

Your plug in devices and appliances, along with all your lights, lamps and bulbs use up about 16%. 

Cooking: 2%

Although we often think of kettles and ovens as using a lot of energy, in reality cooking only uses up a very small portion of your home’s total energy.