Appliance Running Costs 2024

Managing household expenses effectively involves understanding the costs associated with running household appliances. This guide provides a full overview of appliance running costs in the UK based on the energy price cap effective from July 1 to September 30, 2024.

The Energy Price Cap

The energy price cap limits the maximum annual amount energy companies can charge customers on standard variable and default energy tariffs for a medium-usage household. Set by Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, the cap is reviewed quarterly.

Between July 1 and September 30, 2024, the price cap is set at £1,568 per year for a typical household that uses electricity and gas and pays by Direct Debit. Energy costs are currently 22.3p per kWh for electricity and 5.5p per kWh for gas. Actual appliance running costs depend on efficiency and usage.

Understanding Appliance Running Costs

Several factors affect appliance running costs:

• Energy Efficiency: Appliances with higher energy ratings consume less electricity or gas for the same output than lower-rated ones.
• Usage Patterns: The frequency and duration of appliance use significantly impact running costs. These patterns vary by household.
• Energy Costs: The cost of electricity or gas directly influences running expenses.

The following breakdown provides the average running costs for common household appliances based on typical usage patterns.

Breakdown of Appliance Running Costs Per Day, Week, Month and Year After July 2024

Strategies For Reducing Appliance Running Costs

Investing in energy-efficient appliances is one strategy to reduce running costs, but it’s not the only one. 

For instance, an A+++ fridge can save £20 per year compared to a similar A+ model. Similarly, an A+++ washing machine could save around £15 per year compared to an A+ model. 

Regular maintenance and cleaning can also help extend the life of your appliances and keep them running at peak efficiency, reducing the energy they consume.

Moreover, smart technologies and home automation systems can also help reduce energy costs. These technologies can schedule appliances to run during off-peak times when electricity is cheaper or ensure appliances are turned off when not in use.

Consider the following energy-saving tips and practices.

Fridge Freezers

• Ensure the fridge-freezer is not placed near a heat source like an oven or radiator, and ensure enough space for air to circulate around it.
• Keep the fridge and freezer full, reducing the energy needed to cool the space.
• Defrost your freezer regularly to keep it running efficiently.

Ovens (Electric and Gas)

• Only preheat when necessary and for the shortest time possible.
• Use residual heat for the last few minutes of baking.
• Keep the oven door closed as much as possible to prevent heat loss.

Dishwashers

• Run the dishwasher only when full.
• If available, use an eco-mode or energy-saving setting.
• Air-dry dishes instead of using the drying function.

Microwaves

• Use the microwave for small and quick heating tasks instead of the oven or stove, as it uses less energy.
• Defrost food in the fridge instead of using the microwave’s defrost function.

Kettles

• Only boil as much water as needed.
• Descale your kettle regularly to keep it working efficiently.

Washing Machines

• Wash clothes at lower temperatures.
• Only run the machine with full loads.
• Use eco-mode or energy-saving settings if available.

Tumble Dryers

• Dry clothes naturally when possible.
• Spin-dry clothes well before putting them in the tumble dryer to reduce drying time.
• Clean the filter regularly to maintain efficiency.

Dehumidifiers

• Only use when necessary.
• Keep windows and doors closed when the dehumidifier is running.

Fans

• Use fans instead of air conditioning units where possible.
• Only use when in the room – fans cool people, not spaces.

Gas Boilers

• Regularly service the boiler to keep it running efficiently.
• Insulate your home well to reduce the need for heating.
• Install a programmable thermostat to control when the heating comes on and goes off.

Remember, while using appliances efficiently will reduce your energy consumption, the most efficient appliance is the one that’s off. So, always turn off appliances when they are not in use.

Energy Ratings & Purchasing New Appliances

When purchasing energy-efficient appliances, there are several factors to consider in order to make the best decision. Here are some tips:

Understand Energy Efficiency Labels

Look at the energy efficiency labels on the appliances. These labels will give you an idea of how much energy the appliance will use, directly impacting how much it will cost to run.

Appliance energy ratings are labels that provide information about the energy efficiency of an appliance. 

These ratings are typically represented as a scale, where different levels represent different levels of energy efficiency.

In the UK, the energy efficiency ratings used to range from A+++ (most efficient) to D (least efficient). 

However, to reduce confusion due to the multiple ‘+’ signs and to leave room for newer, more efficient models, a new scale from A to G was introduced in March 2021. A is the most efficient, and G is the least efficient.

The energy label also includes additional information, such as:

• Energy consumption: Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, this shows how much energy the appliance uses.
• Volume: For fridges and freezers, this shows the internal capacity.
• Noise: Measured in decibels (dB), this shows how much noise the appliance generates.
• Water consumption: This shows how much water the appliance uses per cycle for washing machines and dishwashers.

Purchasing appliances with better energy ratings (closer to ‘A’) can save you money on your energy bills and reduce your environmental impact. 

It’s always worth considering the energy efficiency of an appliance when making a purchase decision, even if more efficient models are sometimes more expensive upfront. 

Over the appliance’s lifetime, the energy savings can often outweigh the higher initial cost.

Choose the Right Size 

Buy appliances that fit your needs. Larger appliances usually consume more energy. For example, if you’re a small family, you probably don’t need a massive fridge-freezer, and a smaller, more efficient model would serve you just as well.

Consider the Total Cost 

Consider the total cost of owning the appliance, not just the purchase price. This total cost of ownership includes the purchase price plus the cost of operating the appliance throughout its lifetime. An appliance with a higher purchase price but lower running costs could be cheaper in the long run.

Evaluate Features 

Some features of appliances may lead to increased energy use. Consider if you really need these features and whether you will use them. If not, choosing a simpler model could save energy.

Look for Variable Settings

Look for appliances with variable settings, such as a fridge that allows you to set different temperatures for different compartments or a washing machine with eco-modes. This will enable you to adjust the energy consumption based on your actual needs.

Read Reviews 

Before buying, read reviews from other customers. They often share real-world experiences about the appliance’s performance and energy consumption.

Remember, the most energy-efficient appliance is the one that best meets your needs while using the least amount of energy. Always take the time to compare different models and choose the one that fits your lifestyle and budget while saving the most energy.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has been helpful to you and has provided a clearer understanding of the running costs of your appliances.

Understanding the running costs of your appliances can help you make informed purchasing decisions and manage your energy consumption better. 

As we’ve seen, energy efficiency plays a significant role in these costs. 

Therefore, investing in energy-efficient appliances, using smart technologies, and adopting energy-saving practices will all help to reduce these costs.

We encourage you to examine the energy consumption of your appliances. As the saying goes, knowledge is power; in this case, it could also mean less power consumption.