Fridges, dishwashers and even insulated kettles are all appliances that can offer big energy savings
(Picture: Juliet Murphy)Your kitchen consumes more energy than any other room in the house — about 31 per cent of your total bill — so it’s a good place to start if you want to cut costs.
Because your fridge is constantly on, and we usually keep them for a long time, this is the first appliance to upgrade if necessary. In 2021 the energy labelling system was simplified to grade appliances from A to G.
An A-rated fridge freezer is 75 per cent more efficient than a medium-rated appliance. It is more expensive up front but may represent a saving in the long run.
A fridge in ECO mode runs even more efficiently and will yield even greater yearly savings. Try the A-rated LG Centum GBB92MCBAP, £1499.00 from Currys.
In the UK, we drink more than 100 million cups of tea a day, making the kettle another target for cutting energy bills. Notoriously power-hungry kettles can be replaced by boiler taps (about £750 to £1500 to buy and install), which save energy by keeping the water just below boiling in a well-insulated cylinder. The water temperature is then brought up to boiling when you want to use it. These taps can filter cold water and even supply sparkling water to help reduce general costs.
A basic tap providing boiling, hot and filtered cold water costs from £149.95 (plus fitting) at Bathroom House, while a five-in-one boiling tap that also provides sparkling water costs £2,300 (plus fitting) at Quooker.
For those on a smaller budget, Thermos kettles are a great alternative. Once boiled, the water is sealed in the kettle, retaining the heat for hours — like a Thermos flask. Try the Vektra Series 1 from £74.95. Similarly, coffee machines only heat the exact amount of water needed, saving energy.
Dishwashers are more economical than hand washing in terms of water usage and energy required to heat the water. Washing your dishes on an eco setting will save as much as 30 per cent on energy bills. Rinse dishes in cold water before loading to get them sparkling clean and add years to the life of your appliance. The Bosch Series 6 SMD6TCX00E is wi-fi enabled and A-rated. From £999.
Induction hobs use less energy than their traditional electric counterparts. However, if you have a well-functioning and efficient gas hob, it's probably a good idea to keep it, as gas is cheaper per kWh than electricity. You can then use the saved money to upgrade another poorly-performing appliance.
And thinking of different ways of cooking meals will help save energy. Steam ovens transfer heat 100 times more efficiently than a conventional oven, so food cooks more quickly and at lower temperatures. Steam cooking also retains nutrients and enhances natural flavours, and meals can be finished in convection mode so you can achieve that crispy browned finish in a much healthier and cheaper way. Try De-Dietrich DKR7580X from £749.
Countertop options could also help you save. Slow cookers function at lower temperatures, so their overall energy usage can be much less than that the amount used by ovens.
Modern pressure cookers are very safe and can dramatically cut the time needed to cook meals like curries, casseroles, and joints of meat. Air fryers are good for couples or those living on their own as they are smaller and cook meals about 50 per cent more efficiently — you don't need to heat an entire oven just to cook a jacket potato.
