Are Your Appliances Costing You Too Much?

Household Appliance Cost

Did you know that leaving your appliances on standby each day could be costing you between £50 and £86 a year? This equates to roughly 16% of your annual electricity bill. But it isn’t just the cost of leaving your appliances on standby which could be costing you unnecessary money.

To help ensure your appliances aren’t costing you too much, it’s important to ensure you…

Think About Future Costs:

When it comes to purchasing a new appliance, whether it’s a vacuum cleaner, washing machine or even a toaster, an overriding factor for many of us is the immediate cost. However, opting for a cheaper model may seem a more financially viable option in the short term, but can prove costly in the long  term – particularly as cheaper models aren’t always the most energy efficient.

To help ensure you’re getting the best appliance for your needs and requirements, as well as one which is affordable both in the here and now, as well as in the future it’s important that you consider the energy rating of the appliance you’re purchasing.

Current energy ratings for appliances range from A+++ through to A, and whilst A+++ is considered to be the most energy efficient rating, we appreciate such appliances can also have a bigger price tag and aren’t always a viable option. If this is the case for you, an A++, A+ or A rated appliance will also help to save you money in the long term.

Appliance Energy Rating

Understand the Cost of Your Appliances:

As touched on above, the immediate cost of your new appliance isn’t the only cost you need to consider. There’s also the ongoing cost whenever the appliance is used. Each appliance costs a different amount to run, depending on the kWh (kilowatt hour) usage.

It’s estimated the average fridge-freezer uses 427 kWh each year at a cost of £62 per year, a cooker with an electric hob uses 317 kWh per year at a cost of £46, whilst an oven without a hob uses 290 kWh per year at a cost of £42. It’s also estimated the vacuum cleaner costs as little as £2.60 per year to run, due to using only 18 kWh per year. [source: thisismoney.co.uk]

Whilst the estimates give an indication as to how much an appliance will cost you to run, you can work out how much each of your appliances will cost to run by carrying out the following sum:

Wattage of Appliance x Number of Hours Used Each Day x Number of Days Used in the Year = Yearly KW Consumption

Yearly KW Consumption / 1000 x KW Rate = Cost Per Year to Run Appliance

You’ll be able to find your KW Rate by checking your latest electricity bill.

Know How to Reduce the Cost of Your Appliance:

Opting for the most energy efficient appliance will help you to significantly reduce the cost of running said appliance each year, as will switching off the appliances (where possible) when they’re not in use. But there are other steps which we recommend too, including:

  1. Switch Appliances – if you’re cooking vegetables, instead of boiling them on your hob cook them in a more energy efficient manner such as in a steamer, which is said to only cost £7.60 per year to run. When making toast instead of using the toaster which costs more to run, opt for the grill – not only is this cheaper, but it also gives you greater control over how much you brown the bread.
  2. Clean Your Appliances – by keeping your appliances clean, you’ll help to keep them working at their optimum performance as they won’t be hindered by dirt which can build up in multiple crevices and around components, etc. Keeping your appliances clean will also significantly reduce the risk of faults occurring.

Broken Appliance

  1. Fix Faults – even the slightest fault with your appliances can have a significant impact on the performance of the appliance and end up costing you on your utility bills, due to the appliance having to work harder to reach its optimum performance. Keep your appliances working to their full potential by carrying out any required repair yourself at home.
  2. Age Matters – you may be surprised to know the average lifespan of your household appliances is longer than you’d think. For example, a fridge and freezer should last between 15 and 20 years, whilst a dishwasher should still be working after 11 years. But with regular maintenance you can ensure yours last longer.

Keeping these four aspects in mind can help to ensure your appliances aren’t costing you too much money. And for further advice on making the most out of your appliances – whether they’re for the house or garden – don’t forget to visit our blog every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for advice and tips.

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