If monitoring your smart meter has become an obsession, you'll already be aware of most of the ways to save on energy consumption. From closing the curtains to turning down the boiler temperature, savvy households are on the ball when it comes to keeping the heat in and energy usage down. However, comparison experts have now warned that Brits could be wasting around £300 a year without realising.
Household appliances could be draining your wallet due to their age or inefficiency, and while splashing out on a new A rated appliance may not be practical or in your budget if you don't need to replace something in your home, it is certainly worth exploring when you need to upgrade. Especially as according to Bionic, using older models of fridges and washing machines could waste around £300 of energy per year.
While many of us will avoid the thought of replacing household items until they break down, it's worth keeping an appliance's energy rating and life span in mind so that you know how efficient it is and when it is likely to need replacing. Whitegoods like fridges and washing machines aren't cheap, so you have to weigh up whether it would be worthwhile upgrading now or waiting until you really need to replace something. As Daily Record writes, if you have the cash available, upgrading to a newer, more energy-efficient device may be better for you in the long run.
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Les Roberts, business comparison expert at Bionic, said: "An effective energy-saving tip is to look at the appliances you use most, like fridges, washing machines and boilers, and consider their age and condition. If you’re not sure how long you’ve had them, it’s worth digging out receipts or bank statements to check.
"If your appliance has gone over the average lifespan of the product, it may be worth considering upgrading to a more energy-efficient model. Although it’ll come with an initial cost, it should ultimately save you money in the long run."
Average life span of most common appliances
| Appliance | Average Life Span |
| Fridge/Freezer | 10-20 years |
| Washing machine | 10-13 years |
| Tumble dryer | 10-15 years |
| Dishwasher | 10 years |
| Boiler | 10-15 years |
Newer models are made to be more energy efficient, and come with energy efficiency ratings so that you can tell whether or not it will help you save on bills.
Another thing that is worth considering is that older appliances may have faults which impact their efficiency that aren’t necessarily visible. For example, a fridge’s rubber seal that keeps the fridge cold could have a slight tear which means the appliance is having to work harder to keep the temperature low and therefore use more energy.
According to Energy Saving Trust, you should check the energy rating label when buying a new appliance for your home, as it will tell you how much energy that appliance uses, comparing it to similar appliances. It says rating work on a scale of A to G, "with A being the most efficient product of its class, and G being the least efficient. Some appliances use an older scale, from A+++ to G, with A+++ being the most efficient".
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