Energy Saving Week marks 30 years – households are now not only saving energy but also timing their electricity use

Energy Saving Week is being held for the 30th time this year. Over the years, the energy system and the way electricity is used have changed significantly. Improving energy efficiency remains the most important way for households to reduce their energy consumption and costs, but a new important skill has emerged alongside it: timing electricity use.

During this decade, Finnish households, companies, and organisations have had to adapt to a new kind of electricity market as renewable energy production has taken major strides forward, fossil energy is being phased out and electricity imports from Russia have ended. The growth of weather-dependent electricity generation has increased fluctuations in electricity prices, while new types of electricity contracts have entered the market.

“The 2022 energy crisis made electricity an everyday topic of conversation and prompted Finnish households to start monitoring electricity prices and their own consumption. Previously, many people felt that electricity simply ‘came out of the socket’, with little need to pay attention to its price or their own consumption,” says Veli-Matti Virtanen, Expert at Motiva.

Fluctuations in electricity prices are also reflected in the new types of electricity contracts available to households. The share of spot-price electricity contracts increased from 9% at the end of 2021 to 34% by the end of 2025. Hybrid contracts, in which the timing of electricity use affects the final price of electricity, have also become more common.

One old and one new way for households to save electricity in the energy transition

As technology and society change, so does energy use in homes. However, the familiar methods of saving energy and keeping energy costs under control remain just as relevant.

“Energy efficiency is still important in homes, as it also provides protection against rising energy prices. Improvements can be made through everyday choices in how energy is used and settings are adjusted, through small and easy purchases, or over the longer term by investing in home renovations that reduce energy needs and improve the home’s energy performance. The same advice naturally applies to organisations as well,” Virtanen says.

A newer but equally important approach for households is the ability to time their electricity use. Shifting electricity use to different times can reduce the impact of high price peaks on electricity bills.

“Demand response – in other words, shifting electricity use to the most affordable times – has become familiar to households. This, in turn, has created demand for automated solutions for managing energy consumption, and the range of solutions available on the market has grown,” Virtanen says.

Using electricity at the right time not only saves money on electricity bills but also supports the efficient operation of the electricity system and reduces the use of fossil energy. It is therefore a useful habit for households to adopt, regardless of the type of electricity contract they have.

Energy Saving Week marks 30 years: Energy powers everything

Energy Saving Week began in 1996, when Motiva started coordinating an Energy Saving Week for second-grade pupils, with energy companies supporting energy-themed teaching materials for schools. The following year, the participating companies called for greater visibility for the theme, giving rise to the nationwide Energy Saving Week that has been held every autumn ever since. Now, for the 30th time, its aim is to encourage all kinds of organisations to take action on energy and share the message of energy saving with their own stakeholders.

“Over its 30 years, Energy Saving Week has seen many different societal situations and major leaps in technological development. Yet the basic idea remains the same: energy should always be used only when needed, as efficiently as possible and, today, also at the right time,” Virtanen points out.

This year’s Energy Saving Week theme, “Energy powers everything”, highlights the central role of energy in everyday life, housing, mobility, work, services and throughout society.

“With electrification and industrial investments, electricity consumption in society is expected to increase, so we will continue to see price fluctuations in the future. Every household can influence its own costs, which is why investing in energy efficiency and timing electricity use remain relevant measures,” Virtanen points out.