Blog Post 14 January 2022 Updated 28 September 2023
The cost of living is at its highest level in a decade, with household energy bills being the largest expense.
Choosing the most energy efficient household appliance for needs can help you save energy – and money – on your bills, but some common household items are more energy guzzling than others.
Here, we find out which are the biggest users of electricity in the home and offer some tips on how to use them as efficiently as possible to help you reduce your energy bill.
01
Wet appliances
Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14% of a typical energy bill, taking the top spot in our list. The power needed to heat the water that they use pushes up consumption, making them energy-hungry household appliances.
Actively choosing to wash clothes at a lower temperature can help reduce your energy consumption and try to avoid washing half loads to save water. The same advice goes for you dishwasher: use the Eco setting if it has one and try to wait until it’s full to set it off. We’ve got more tips in our blog onbeing energy efficient when using your washing machine.
02
Cold appliances
Fridges and freezers also account for around 13% of the average household’s energy bill. By their very nature, these appliances need to stay on all the time, so they’re continually drawing power to maintain a constant temperature.
They’re also among the longest lasting appliances in our home. The typical fridge-freezer has a lifespan of 17 years!
Since they’ll be on 24 hours a day, and could last you 17 years, there’s a huge benefit to investing in an energy efficient one. The next time you’re buying a new fridge or freezer, consider the smallest that meets your needs, as well as the highest rated one you can afford.
03
Consumer electronics
Today, we are far more reliant on consumer electronics – from laptops to TVs to game consoles – so it should come as no surprise that they take third place, accounting for around 6% of your energy bill.
Some of the oldest advice remains relevant: remember to turn your devices off standby where possible.
If it’s time for a new TV, look for the most energy efficient one you can afford, or choose a smaller screen size to save on running costs. We have more advice on choosing home appliances, including top things to look out for to reduce your energy bills.
04
Lighting
Coming in just behind your electronics, lighting takes up around 5% of an average home’s total energy bill. You can reduce the amount of energy you use by replacing halogen bulbs with LEDs.
LEDs come in a range of shades from cool to warm, allowing you to create the lighting effect that you want for your home. If the average household replaced all bulbs with LEDs, it would cost about £180 and save around £60 a year on bills.
Another tip: turn your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room. This will save you around £20 a year on your annual energy bills.
05
Cooking
Are your cooking habits costing you too much in your energy bills? Around 4% of your energy bill is spent on powering kitchen appliances, including the hob, oven, kettle and microwave.
Microwaves are more efficient than ovens at cooking, as they only heat the food and not the air space inside. And try to avoid overfilling the kettle and save yourself £11 a year on your electricity bill.
Check out our quick tips page to see how much you could save on your energy bills.
Further reading
How to save money on your energy bills
Every home should be warm and safe, but for many households across the UK, the reality is very different.
Quick tips to save energy
Follow our 10 quick tips for straightforward ways to save energy, lower your bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
Home appliances
When looking for energy efficient appliances, check the energy ratings label and consider the size of the appliance you need.
I am an energy efficiency expert with a proven track record in understanding and optimizing household energy consumption. My extensive experience in the field, along with a commitment to staying updated on the latest trends and innovations, positions me as a reliable source for information on energy-efficient practices.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the blog post dated January 14, 2022, and updated on September 28, 2023, which focuses on the top five energy-consuming home appliances and provides tips on reducing energy bills:
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Wet Appliances (Washing Machines, Dishwashers, Tumble Dryers):
- Energy Consumption: These appliances collectively account for 14% of a typical energy bill due to the power required to heat water.
- Efficiency Tips: Washing clothes at lower temperatures and avoiding half loads can reduce energy consumption. Using Eco settings on dishwashers and waiting for a full load can also help.
-
Cold Appliances (Fridges and Freezers):
- Energy Consumption: Fridges and freezers contribute to around 13% of the average household's energy bill as they operate continuously to maintain a constant temperature.
- Efficiency Tips: Investing in an energy-efficient appliance, choosing the smallest size that meets your needs, and opting for the highest-rated model within your budget can lead to significant energy savings.
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Consumer Electronics (Laptops, TVs, Game Consoles):
- Energy Consumption: Consumer electronics make up approximately 6% of the energy bill.
- Efficiency Tips: Turning off devices on standby, choosing energy-efficient electronics, and opting for smaller screen sizes when purchasing TVs can contribute to energy savings.
-
Lighting:
- Energy Consumption: Lighting consumes about 5% of an average home's total energy bill.
- Efficiency Tips: Replacing halogen bulbs with LEDs, turning off lights when not in use, and choosing LEDs with different shades can reduce energy usage. If all bulbs are replaced with LEDs, it can save around £60 a year on bills.
-
Cooking Appliances (Hob, Oven, Kettle, Microwave):
- Energy Consumption: Kitchen appliances, including the hob, oven, kettle, and microwave, contribute to about 4% of the energy bill.
- Efficiency Tips: Using microwaves instead of ovens, avoiding overfilling kettles, and following quick tips can lead to savings on electricity bills.
The blog post emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency when selecting household appliances, suggesting considerations such as energy ratings labels and choosing the right size for optimal efficiency. For further information, the post offers additional reading on saving money on energy bills and quick tips for energy conservation.
