UK households consume an average of 3,100 kWh of electricity per year. But have you ever wondered which appliances are responsible for the bulk of that usage? Keep reading to find out which 5 household appliances use the most electricity—and what you can do to mitigate their energy consumption.
#1: Refrigerators and Freezers
Refrigerators and freezers are essential for preserving food, but they also happen to be two of the biggest energy hogs in the home. Refrigerators and freezers account for around 15% of a typical home’s total electricity usage! If you have an older model fridge or freezer, it’s likely using even more electricity than newer models. That’s why it pays to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model when your old one finally bites the dust. Energy-efficient refrigerators can save you up to £50 per year on your electricity bill, so they’ll pay for themselves in no time.
#2: Washing Machines and Tumble Dryers
Washing clothes is another necessary evil that consumes a fair amount of electricity. Washing machines and tumble dryers account for around 13% of total household electricity usage. If you’re looking to save on energy costs, invest in an energy-efficient washing machine and try line-drying your clothes whenever possible. Line drying may not be ideal in the winter months, but it’s a great way to save on energy costs during the spring and summer. You could also consider switching to a water-efficient washing machine; these models use less water and less electricity, so they’re better for both your wallet and the environment.
#3: Lighting
Lighting might not seem like a significant source of energy consumption, but it accounts for around 10% of a typical home’s total electricity usage. If you want to reduce your lighting costs, start by switching all your lightbulbs to LEDs. LED bulbs are more expensive than traditional incandescent bulbs, but they last much longer and use far less electricity. You should also make an effort to open blinds and curtains during the daytime so you can take advantage of natural light instead of relying on artificial light sources. And when you do need to use artificial light, make sure to turn off lights whenever you leave a room—even if it’s just for a few minutes! Every little bit counts when it comes to saving on your energy bill.
#4: Televisions and Entertainment Systems
Televisions have come a long way in recent years; today’s models are thinner, lighter, and more energy-efficient than ever before. Even so, TVs still account for around 6% of total household electricity usage. If you want to save on energy costs, consider investing in a streaming device like a Roku or Amazon Fire Stick instead of using a traditional cable or satellite TV service. You could also ditch your old CRT TV in favour of a newer LCD or LED model; these TVs use considerably less power than their CRT predecessors. And when you’re not using your TV, make sure to turn it off completely; leaving it on standby mode doesn’t do anything to reduce its power consumption.
#5: Dishwashers
Dishwashers might not get used as often as some other appliances, but they still consume a fair amount of electricity—around 4% of total household usage, on average. If you want to reduce your dishwasher’s power consumption, make sure it’s full before running it; dishwashers use just as much water and electricity whether they’re half-full or full, so there’s no point in running them half-empty! You should also scrape food scraps from dishes into the garbage disposal or trash instead of rinsing them off under running water; this will save both water and electricity. And once again, when you’re not using your dishwasher, make sure to turn it off completely; leaving it on standby won’t save you any money on your energy bill.
Conclusion
UK households consume an average of 3,100 kWh of electricity per year—but which appliances are responsible for the bulk of that usage?
Refrigerators and freezers top the list, followed by washing machines and tumble dryers, lighting fixtures, televisions and entertainment systems, and dishwashers. By upgrading to more energy-efficient models and taking simple steps like having a yearly EPC assessment, line drying clothes or turning off lights when you leave a room, you can save money on your energy bill while doing your part to protect the environment!
