Domestic appliances account for almost half of your total domestic electricity consumption*, which forms a large part of your annual electricity bill. The good news is that there are now plenty of ways to reduce those costs.
* 47% - Figure provided by The Energy Saving Trust
Should I unplug gadget chargers when not in use?
A.
Yes: if a charger feels warm when it’s plugged in without being attached to a device e.g. mobile phone, MP3 player, laptop computer, it’s still converting energy. Unplugging chargers when not in use is one of those changes that can make a big environmental impact if we all do it.
How good are energy-saving light bulbs?
A.
Energy-saving light bulbs have always been a bright idea – both for your pocket and the environment. They use up to 80% less electricity than a standard incandescent bulb.
Advances in technology mean that energy saving bulbs are now available in a range of fittings, shapes and sizes; from conventional-style bulbs to round and even candle shaped varieties, with a choice of either screw or bayonet fittings.
Replacing a standard 100W light bulb in your home with a low-energy equivalent will knock around £6 off your annual electricity bill, saving enough electricity to boil water for 1,200 cups of tea. Just imagine the savings if you replaced all of your bulbs!
It is also worth remembering that low-energy light bulbs can last for ten years or more. The average lifespan of a traditional bulb is just one year.
How do I recognise an energy-saving product?
A.
The European Union (EU) Energy label rates products from ‘A’ (the most efficient) to ‘G’ (the least efficient). For refrigeration, the EU energy label goes up to A++. By law, the label must be shown on all refrigeration and laundry appliances, dishwashers, electric ovens and light bulb packaging. The most energy-efficient products also carry the Energy Saving Recommended logo.
How much money can energy-saving products actually save me?
A.
If your current appliance is rated ‘B’ to ‘G’, it can use up to twice the electricity of an ‘A’ rated appliance.
| APPLICANCE | ENERGY EFFICIENCY | ANNUAL COST |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge Freeze | A++ G |
£15.00 £60.00+ |
| Dishwasher (5 washes per week) |
A G |
£19.00 £42.00+ |
| Washing Machine (5 washes per week) |
A G |
£19.00 £42.00+ |
| Tumble Dryer (5 washes per week) |
A G |
£19.00 £42.00+ |
Does it really matter if I leave appliances on standby?
A.
A recent survey by the Energy Saving Trust revealed that more than seven out of 10 people admit to leaving appliances on standby, including televisions, satellite boxes, DVD players, computers, printers and broadband modems.
Each year a staggering £700m is wasted by leaving home appliances on standby, pumping an additional 1 million tonnes of carbon into the environment. If we all switched off appliances at the plug after use we would each save more than £35 per year and enough electricity to power 1.2 million homes.