Fridges & freezers
Size matters
Bear in mind that two differently sized fridges can have the same energy rating, but the smaller model will use less energy and cost less to run. Make sure the size is right for your needs and the interior suits your normal shop. Otherwise you will be 'fuelling' empty space.
Location, location...
For maximum energy efficiency it is important not to place your fridge or freezer next to the oven, radiator or in direct sunlight. Neither should it be somewhere too cold like the garage. Look in the user's guide for the 'climate class' which gives you the range of temperatures within which it is designed to work most efficiently.
The art of packing
A well-stocked fridge will work more effectively. Ideally it should be no more than three quarters full, that way cool air circulates more easily. For optimum results in your freezer you will need plenty of ventilation space at the back and top.
Keep it clean and frost free
Remember to regularly clean the door seals as dirt or food particles will stop them from closing properly, preventing best performance. Also clean the condenser coils at the back of the fridge — if dust builds up it can waste up to 30% more energy. Keep in mind that the more ice in your freezer the more energy used, so get into the habit of defrosting regularly.
Holiday time
Take the opportunity to save money and energy while you are on holiday. If you go away for more than a fortnight, clear your fridge and turn it off. Make sure you leave the door ajar to prevent mould forming. Some fridge freezers have twin compressor technology meaning they can operate independently of one another, so you can turn the fridge off when you are away but leave the freezer on.
For further information on storing food
www.eatwell.gov.uk/keepingfoodsafe/storing/
Washing machines
Fully loaded
To save the most water and energy always try to use a full load. Even if the machine has a half-load setting, waiting until you can wash one full load will always be more energy efficient. So if you are serious about saving money on your electricity bills it is always better to fill the drum up to its capacity. It's helpful to check the user's guide as this will detail the maximum loads for individual programmes.
Turn that dial down
Washing clothes at 30°C, a setting not available on all old models, rather than higher temperatures, will save around 40% on the energy consumption. For very dirty clothes try pre-treating any stains instead of choosing the hot 60°C cycle.
Clean those drawers
Clean the detergent drawers thoroughly using a long handled brush. This will prevent a build up of residue that may develop when using low temperature washing programmes. Leaving the drawer open between washes to allow it to dry out and using the correct amount of detergent will also help.
Accurate dosage
Use the appropriate amount of detergent. Too much may require additional rinse cycles that ultimately waste water and energy. Not to mention the wasted energy in terms of detergent manufacture and distribution costs. Under-dosing would result in items not being sufficiently cleaned and thus require more washing and energy consumption.
Put a spin on it
Choosing the correct spin cycle is important when you want to save energy. Gentle spinning is usually best when air-drying in warm weather because it leaves fewer creases in the clothes and energy is saved as less ironing is required. High speed spinning removes the most water and keeps the energy requirements to a minimum when a tumble drier is being used, or when the washing is dried indoors using heat from radiators.
EU Labels
All appliances carry EU labels which rate their energy consumption. Most are labelled from A to G, with A being the most efficient. Fridges are the exception as they carry even higher energy efficiency ratings and savings. Other information on the label varies slightly depending on the type of appliance.
A+ & A++ fridges and freezers
The ratings now go up to A+ and even A++, on refrigeration products. These use the least electricity and are the cheapest to run. Compared with an old appliance, the energy savings on A+ and A++ products can be up worth up to £40 a year.
Other cool information
The label states the typical energy kWh (kilowatt hour) per year under standard conditions. By multiplying this by 10.24p (the average unit price of electricity in 2006) you can work out the annual running cost. This is an estimate. Fluctuating electricity prices, how you use and where you locate your fridge, may alter your actual savings. Refrigeration labels also give you storage capacity and the star system tells you what food you can freeze and how long it will last. Where noise levels are rated, the lower the number the less noise the product emits.
Washing performance
Labels on laundry and dishwashing products also have similar A - G ratings for washing, spin and/or drying performance. The most energy efficient washing machines are currently labelled AAA. However, you may have noticed an A+ rating on some manufacturers' marketing material for newer models. This currently indicates that the model offers 0.17 kWh per kilo energy performance on the 60ºC cotton cycle.
Energy Saving Recommended
The Energy Saving Recommended logo can be found on a range of products including fridge freezers and washing machines. The Energy Saving Recommended scheme was established in 2000, by the Energy Saving Trust. ESR products are best in class for energy efficiency - meeting or exceeding specified energy efficiency requirements set by an independent panel and reviewed annually.
The Energy Saving Trust test a percentage of products so you can rest assured that where there's a logo it is your guarantee that the product will save energy, cost less to run and help the environment.
Energy Saving Trust service
There is help at hand to make your home more energy efficient. The Energy Saving Trust is an independent, non profit-making organisation promoting sustainable use of energy. They have local advice centres that provide free, impartial advice, including a free Home Energy Check on your house. This will show you additional ways to save energy and money. To take part in a Home Energy Check or for more information on energy saving visit the Energy Saving Trust website or just call: 0800 512 012 to find your local advice centre.
Be Smart
There is an evolution underway in how we measure domestic energy consumption. Smart meters show how much money or carbon each individual appliance is consuming. Some smart meters even send readings directly to the energy supplier, doing away with the need for manual readings or estimated bills. Initial research suggests smarter metering could very well help you reduce your energy consumption.
Standby waste be gone!
The average household wastes around £30 each year by leaving appliances on standby. New adaptors are appearing on the market to help eliminate this superfluous energy consumption. These cut the power to electronic products left on standby, but still enable the devices to be switched on using the remote control.
Gas tumble dryers
Gas tumble dryers are a greener, cheaper alternative to the energy devouring electric tumble dryer. They carry out exactly the same task yet their running costs are around a quarter of their electric counterparts, with half the carbon footprint. In fact, their green credentials are so impressive that they were recently awarded "Energy Saving Recommended" endorsement by the Energy Saving Trust. So if you need to dry your clothes indoors, and want to be kind to the environment, gas seems to be the way forward.
Dishwashers make the cut
The case for using a dishwasher to save water is surprisingly strong. According to a recent report by the Market Transformation Programme the water used by a dishwasher is typically four times less than washing up by hand, and the result is generally more effective.
When looking at energy consumption, if you decide to buy a dishwasher, it is important to choose an A rated model, making sure you load it up fully and use a lower temperature programme.
Waste disposal units
Waste disposal units are relatively widely used in the UK and ecologically-speaking their method of dealing with food waste makes sense. Neatly fitting into your sink, they break up food remnants into small particles which end up in water treatment systems and the waste is ultimately recycled into soil conditioner. This, according to research, cuts household waste by 20%, minimising refuse collection.
