How to Embrace Flexible Energy Use

Make the most of flexible energy with our checklists for every room of your house, your transportation and where you get your energy.

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Finding ways to make your energy use more flexible is helpful for your wallet and the environment.

With energy costs rising in many places and concerns about grid stability, increasing flexible energy use helps reduce utility bills. As an added bonus, it also supports a more resilient and sustainable energy grid.

This article provides practical advice on how to make your energy use more flexible. It offers a structured approach and a room-by-room overview of flexible, money-saving energy practices, including tips for electric vehicle (EV) owners.

Reasons to prioritise flexible energy use

There are multiple benefits to flexible energy use. In bullet points, some of the major ones include:

Cost Savings: Flexibility means increased opportunities to take advantage of off-peak energy prices and reduce utility bills.
Environment: Support the integration of renewable energy sources and reduce the carbon footprint by dynamically moving energy consumption to times when renewable production is high.
Grid stability: Reduce peak demand and ease the strain on the grid, preventing blackouts and enhancing overall reliability.
Get earning opportunities: Some utilities offer incentives for participating in flexible demand response programs.

Start with these tips and tricks

Finding ways of increasing energy flexibility can happen by going room to room – and out into the garage.

Before using our checklist for that journey, it is worth finding good answers to a few central questions, including:

Do I have the right equipment? This includes smart meters, energy monitoring apps, and solutions to automate and schedule energy use.
How to shift energy-intensive activities: Scheduling tasks like laundry and dishwashing for off-peak hours (early morning, late evening, or weekends).
Can I automate and optimise my current equipment? Thermostats, smart home devices, lighting, electronics, and more should be able to communicate with energy-controlling systems and apps.
Will I partake in Demand Response Programs? Utility demand response programs may offer financial incentives for reducing energy use during peak periods.

Energy saving room-by-room overview

Now, it is time to examine how you can make energy use more flexible and efficient room by room.

Points can include:

Kitchen: Keep the refrigerator and freezer well-stocked to maintain efficiency and avoid frequently opening the doors during peak hours. Run the dishwasher during off-peak times. Use energy-saving or eco-friendly modes. Batch cook to reduce the use of the oven and stove.
Living Room: Smart lighting to turn on and off automatically. Unplug electronics when not in use or use smart power strips to reduce standby power consumption.
Bedroom: Use programmable thermostats to lower heating or cooling during peak times. Use dimmer switches to reduce energy consumption.
Laundry Room: Wash clothes in cold water and run the washer and dryer during off-peak hours. Hang clothes to dry when possible. Iron clothes in batches to minimise energy use and do it during off-peak times.
The garage: Schedule EV charging during off-peak hours with advanced smart charging to take advantage of lower electricity rates and reduce grid strain.
Outside: Consider if investments in power generation and energy storage units like solar panels and batteries make economic sense.

Conclusion

Making your energy use more flexible is an intelligent way to save money, support grid stability, and contribute to a more sustainable future. You can make a significant impact by understanding your energy consumption patterns, shifting energy-intensive activities, and utilising innovative technology. Whether you’re adjusting your home’s energy use room by room or optimising your EV charging habits, every small change contributes to a more resilient and efficient energy system.