The typical British household has spent £645.30 over the last 12 months on new gadgets, in a bid to be more energy-efficient – but which home appliances are really worth the investment?
Over half of Brits (56%) have splashed out on air fryers, washing machines, and kettles in the past year, with 28% of those saying that managing their energy usage was at the “top of their agenda”.
And it seems they are on the right track – as switching from ovens to air fryers, or tumble dryers to heated clothes dryers, take less than five years to pay off the investment, making them some of the most cost-efficient purchases.
However, three in ten, of the 2,000 adults polled, would still like to learn more about how to reduce their bills, by reducing the energy usage of their appliances.
As such, Smart Energy GB, which commissioned the research, has partnered with Energy Saving Trust, in a bid to help the nation better manage their energy usage.
The two energy efficiency organisations have shared advice when it comes to assessing which appliances are worth the investment.
Simple desk-top fans are also a popular choice for Brits, and can run for eight hours a day while still costing less than using a small air conditioner for 20 minutes.
But some devices don’t fare so well – the popular games console could take up to 35 years to make back the investment, compared to PC gaming which is a significantly more efficient means of entertainment.
Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, said: “For many households, the lack of control when it comes to managing high energy prices is a real concern.
“We want to cut through the noise and help people understand what types of appliances are worth investing in when it comes to energy efficiency.
“Partnering with Energy Saving Trust, we’ve gathered information on the appliances many of us use day-to-day, and assessed which will prove the most cost-effective in the long run.
“But you don’t necessarily need to buy new appliances to make savings, as there are simple and cost-free things that could make a big difference – such as turning down your combi-boiler flow rate, taking shorter showers, or lowering your thermostat by one degree.
“Seeing the impact of these things on our energy bills is the key to using them effectively.
“A smart meter’s in-home display shows your energy use in near real-time, and can be a vital tool for anyone wanting more control over their energy spend.”
When looking to buy new products, over two-thirds (69%) claim the energy efficiency credentials influence their decision more than they did before prices soared.
And 81% are trying to be more savvy when it comes to using devices around the home – adopting habits such as only boiling a kettle with the water required (55%), and switching off appliances at the mains as opposed to leaving them on standby (45%).
One in five (20%) admit the number of appliances they use makes them feel nervous each time an energy bill arrives, with 56% using certain home appliances less often than they normally would, in a bid to cut costs.
Keen to learn more, 39% say that monitoring their energy usage in real-time would help them understand more about home energy management, according to the OnePoll.com study.
Having sight over which devices use the most energy (41%), being able to have more control over them (35%), and seeing how much energy they are using in real-time (34%), would also prove useful.
Meanwhile, four in ten smart meter owners claim they are able to better manage their energy usage, and 38% have been encouraged to implement more energy-efficient habits when using appliances in the home.
Brian Horne, technical knowledge lead at Energy Saving Trust said: “There is a lot of confusion and misconceptions around the role of household appliances and our energy consumption in the home.
“Our aim is to equip the nation with better knowledge and understanding of energy use, so they can make simple swaps to better manage their household energy consumption.”
Angellica Bell, TV presenter and consumer champion, said: “The energy and cost-of-living crisis has been on many people’s minds over the past 12 months, with many households concerned about paying their bills.
“This is why I’ve partnered with Smart Energy GB to bring the true energy efficiency of household appliances into question, and to offer advice on how people can make small, positive changes to the way they use appliances, and in turn reduce costs.”
