The Energy Saving Trust
estimates that the average UK home wastes £30 by leaving electrical items on standby, rather than switching them off at the plug. Newer
household items such as broadband routers and modems also use low levels of
electricity when they’re not being used, despite being designed to conserve as
much energy as possible. A broadband router can cost the consumer around £8 of
electricity annually.
Read on to discover which
house appliances use the most and least energy and how to choose new electrical
items wisely.
What should I think about when buying new
appliances?
European Energy labels are required by law and rate products
on their energy efficiency, with A as most efficient and G, the least.
Appliances are graded on energy
consumption in kWh (units of electricity per hour) so you should choose an
appliance with the lowest kWh used, as this is the most energy-efficient.
The labels must be displayed on items such as tumble dryers,
dishwashers and electric ovens.
Fridges
and freezers have additional A+, A++ and A+++ energy ratings.
Which appliances use the most energy?
Whilst small appliances such as kettles and toasters make
life more comfortable, they can rack up your electricity bill when you consider
how many times they are used in a day.
Based on the UK average electricity tariff for September
2016, the most expensive standard size electrical item to run for a year is a
tumble dryer. A 7kg drum can cost £45 to run annually, closely followed by a 14-place
dishwasher at around £43. The next most expensive appliances are a washing machine
(£39), fridge freezer (£37) and kettle (£31).
Which appliances use the least energy?
20L Microwave ovens and games
consoles are among the cheapest appliances to run, both costing £5 or less per
year. A standard 2-slice toaster would cost £2.52 to run annually, while a Sony
PlayStation would only set you back £1.37.
Electric toothbrushes,
children’s night lights, desktop PCs, inkjet printers and mobile phone chargers
all cost under £5 to power over a year.
Gas ovens typically cost much
less than electric cookers with or without hobs.
How can I monitor what I spend?
Gas and electricity suppliers are responsible for providing
and fitting smart
meters
for everyone in Britain by 2020. Customers will be able to see what they are
spending on electricity as they use it, resulting in less consumption. Meter
readings are sent automatically to the energy companies.
As well as saving you money by cutting your electricity
bill, becoming more energy efficient will also mean fewer fossil fuels are
burnt and carbon emissions are decreased, which are linked to climate change.
Always remember to turn things off
when you are not using them. As you can see, if electrical items are not turned
off at the wall, they still consume power.
Appliances that draw a large amount of current for an
extended period of time such as heaters and dryers have a high probability of
fire being caused by a hot connection or an overloaded circuit, so ensure you
have cover
for your kitchen appliances. For more help choosing the right insurance for
your appliances, contact our experts on 0844 318 6870.
*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.
