With energy bills remaining a concern, homeowners and tenants are constantly looking for ways to save money on one of the most draining household expenses.
But, how do you know where the money is going? Most items are turned on, used and turned off again, without full awareness of how much money each item is subtly consuming. As we write this article, unit rates for electricity are set to fall by approximately 2p, putting them at 24.67p/kWh. Promising news, potentially, but what does this actually mean if you have very little idea which appliances are draining your account the most?
In this edition of our blog, we explore the appliances that use the most electricity and provide you with some tips to help reduce costs.
How is electricity use in appliances measured?
- Consumption calculated in kilowatt-hours or kWh
- A kilowatt-hour is the amount of energy used by a 1,000-watt appliance in 1 hour.
- Multiply the unit price by the total kilowatt-hours used to find the cost of running your appliance
Sounds simple enough? If we take your tumble dryer, for example. Let’s assume it uses 1,500 watts or 1.5 kW per hour. That’s 1.5kilowatt-hours. We now multiply that by the unit price of 24.67p to get a total running cost of 37.04p.
What appliances are using the most electricity in my house?
We’ve looked at a report from the Energy Saving Trust to find the most common appliances that use electricity in your home. Using the latest price information, we also broke down the rough expenditure.
Washing machines, tumble dryers & dishwashers
These items are among the most commonly used in the home and are likely in use every day or, at least, multiple times a week. Combined, these items account for approximately 14% of your energy bill.
You can save money by assessing the energy rating before you buy. An appliance with an A energy rating will cost about half the energy of a similar appliance with a G rating.
You can also utilise the machine’s settings by setting it at lower temperatures and running eco-cycles if equipped. It may also be worth waiting until the appliance is full, too. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself using it half full but all the time!
| Appliance | Power Rating | Usage | Approximate kWh | Cost per use |
| Washing machine | 1.5kW | 1hr | 1.5kWh | 0.37p |
| Tumble dryer | 3.5kW | 1hr | 3.5kWh | 0.86 |
| Dishwasher | 1.8kW | 2hrs | 3.6kWh | 0.89p |
All usage and power ratings are approximate. Users should consult their machine’s handbook for accurate ratings, cycles and usage.
Fridges and freezers
Fridges and freezers can be a huge drain on electricity; they are always turned on, and if they aren’t utilising their storage capacity, they can chip away at your finances pretty quickly. It has been estimated that 13% of your energy costs go on these two appliances, so it is always wise to shop smart when furnishing your property with a new fridge or freezer.
Similar to all appliances, the energy rating is crucial. A large fridge with an F rating may cost just a small amount more to run than a small fridge with a G rating. So keep this in mind. Utilise your space and think about your usage. Are you a family of four or an elderly couple? Are you flatmates or a single person? Consider your needs and combine them with your budget. Find the smallest model that aligns with both and has the best possible efficiency rating. It’s also useful to ensure neither appliance gets too empty, as this causes them to work harder!
| Appliance | Power rating | Usage | Approximate kWh | Cost per use (per day) |
| Fridge | 100w | 24hrs | 1.2 kWh (per day) | 0.30 |
| Freezer | 100w | 24hrs | 1.2 kWh (per day) | 0.30 |
TVs, laptops and consoles
We all like to unwind, and many of us do it in front of a screen. Whether it’s relaxing with a film, mastering a mission in a game or planning your Xmas shopping online, much of it is done from the comfort of your home. Luckily, these items, as stand-alone products, don’t consume great amounts of electricity, but combined, they can account for as much as 6% of your total energy bill.
Most of these items have a sleep or standby function that allows them to remain on without using full power. This can be useful, but as we explore further down the page, it isn’t always wise.
Check the energy efficiency of the models you plan to buy and factor in the screen size. A large, hi-spec TV can cost significantly more to run than a slightly smaller model of the same quality.
| Appliance | Power rating | Usage | Approximate kWh | Cost per use |
| TV | 0.1kW | 4hrs | 0.4kWh | 10p |
| Games console (standby mode) | 0.02kW | 24/7 when in standby | 0.48kWh | 12p (per day) |
| Laptop | 0.004kW | 24/7 (idle) | 0.096kWh | 2p per day |
Lighting
Lighting is frequently used and can be a big drain on cash if appropriate measures aren’t taken. Typically, 5% of your energy bill comes from lighting, but this can be reduced. Switching halogen bulbs for LEDs can represent a saving of around £50 per year, and ensuring you switch off lights when you leave a room further enhances the benefit.
| Appliance | Power rating | Usage | Approximate kWh | Cost |
| LED lighting | 0.1KW (per hour) | 4 hours | 0.4kWh | 10p (per day) |
Ovens, microwaves and kettles
Your kitchen is home to a wide range of useful appliances, but they might be causing you to spend more than you thought. Approximately 4% of your energy bill goes towards these items. Consider filling a kettle with only the amount you need, and, where possible, microwave items that would otherwise go in the oven. Whilst collectively these items may not represent the largest portion of your energy bill, it’s worth noting that an oven is one of the most expensive single items for electricity usage in the home.
| Appliance | Power rating | Usage | Approximate kWh | Cost per use |
| Oven | 2.5kW | 1hr | 2.5kWh | 62p |
| Kettle | 3kW | 5min | 0.25kWh | 6p |
| Microwave | 1.5kW | 10min | 0.25kWh | 6p |
Does leaving an appliance on standby cost me money?
Yes, and it’s often something many people forget. Data from the IEA claims that between 5% and 15% of residential electricity usage in OECD countries is from items left on standby. As a rough guide, leaving your games console in rest mode could cost an extra £22.55 per year, while a smart TV or speaker in the same state costs close to £7 each.
How to find which appliance is using too much electricity?
If you want to see how much energy your appliances use and where money-saving opportunities exist, there are a few things you can implement.
Check the smart meter, or get one
A smart meter with an in-home display will show you how much electricity is used in real time. This allows you to switch appliances off and see the difference they make. Many energy companies provide them for free.
Use a plug-in energy monitor
A plug-in energy monitor is a simple tool that allows you to see how much electricity a specific appliance uses. You plug it into the socket, then plug the appliance into the monitor. You’ll get real-time energy usage information and a rough cost based on your tariff.
Online calculators
For a quick assessment of your potential energy use, you can use an online calculator. Simply find a site with a suitable tool, enter the wattage and usage for your appliance, and you’ll get a rough estimate of how much energy it uses and the potential costs.
Faulty or undermaintained appliances can also increase energy use, causing bills to rise. The team at London Property Services can help. Our experienced team of qualified London electricians are on hand to help install appliances safely and repair them when faults arise. Contact our team today for all appliance repairs and installations across London and have a fault finding electrician on site fast!
