Soaring energy bills: work out how much your appliances are costing you

You don’t need to sign up for a smart meter to get a closer insight into precisely how much certain appliances are adding to your energy bills.

Most of us are looking to improve how efficiently we use energy in our homes.

After all, energy bills remain at record highs, and while they may be set to fall in the months ahead as wholesale prices drop, household finances are sufficiently stretched that we all want to save a few pounds.

One way to understand how to reduce spending on energy bills is to look into precisely where we are using that energy, and specifically which appliances are costing us the most.

And that’s what a new study by Which? delves into.

So which appliances have seen the most substantial increases in running costs? And what can you do to reduce those outgoings?

Washing machines

A big one is washing machines. Running a machine with a 9kg capacity for a year will set you back £77.47 at current energy prices, compared with just £49 back in October 2021.

Obviously, the capacity of your washing machine is going to have a big bearing on how much it costs to run.

If you only have a small machine, then you may find that you have to run it more frequently in order to get your clothes clean, while larger machines may end up being run when only half full.

Which? reckons that when it comes to getting value for money, you need to ensure the machine is at least 80% full.

Another consideration is the temperature at which you wash those clothes.

Washing at 30°C cuts energy use by an average of 38% from a 40°C wash.

You can use 62% less energy if you run the wash at 20°C, though of course there will be a trade-off in terms of how clean it gets your clothes.

Heat pump tumble dryers

Heat pumps have been pinpointed as a useful way to save energy in the past, but running a heat pump tumble dryer has become significantly more costly.

That’s on top of the upfront cost involved in purchasing one.

Between October 2021 and now, the average cost of running one with a 9kg capacity has moved from £43.95 to £69.49. 

Which? argues that you can improve efficiency by separating clothes by fabric type, since different fabrics take varying times in order to dry, while it’s also important to empty the filter so that the dryer does not have to work harder.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers are incredibly convenient, but also one of the most costly appliances to make use of, with running costs moving from £60 to £94.86 per year since October 2021.

Again, capacity will have a big bearing here. Full-size models cost more to run than compact and slimline ones, so you can save some cash by going for a smaller option should that match your needs.

Most dishwashers will have some sort of eco program on offer, and while that will mean that the wash takes longer, it will cut the energy use by around a third.

It’s also important not to overload the dishwasher ‒ you need to have enough space for the water to get around the plates and glasses in order to clean them properly, otherwise, you’ll have to finish the job yourself.

Fridge freezer

The problem with a fridge freezer is that you don’t have the option of not using them in order to cut your bills ‒ they are simply a necessity.

And that contributes to the cost in running them, which has moved from an average annual bill of £62.19 in October 2021 to £139.90 today.

What’s more, that’s just for integrated ones ‒ if you go for a freestanding or American model, you’ll have to cough up an average of £165.36 and £211.84 a year respectively.

If you want to keep your bill as low as possible, that means helping the fridge freezer work efficiently.

You can do that by cleaning the condenser coils on the back, as well as replacing damaged door seals to ensure that no cold air can escape.

Be smart with your meter

One easy way to track precisely how much energy your individual appliances are using is with a smart meter.

Smart meters are designed to give you a breakdown in real time of how much energy you are using, and crucially how much that energy use is costing you.

No more shocks when the energy bill comes in ‒ instead you’ll be able to see where that energy is being used as it’s happening, allowing you to make immediate changes and hopefully save a few quid.

The trouble is that the smart meter rollout has been far from perfect, to the point that some are uncomfortable even having the meters in their homes.

A question of efficiency

If you have an older model, no matter what sort of appliance, then chances are it is not as efficient as it used to be.

The reality is that as appliances get older, they have to work harder, whether that’s in order to clean your dishes or keep your food cold.

Therefore, it may be worth considering whether you can save more money in the long run by upgrading to a newer, more efficient model.

As shoppers, we are far more informed today since all manufacturers have to publish the efficiency rating of appliances upfront, allowing you to determine for yourself whether you are getting a sufficiently efficient model for the cost.