Appliance Running Costs 2023

Understanding the costs of running household appliances is an essential part of managing household expenses, and this guide aims to provide a comprehensive guide to household appliance running costs after July 2023 in the UK.

The Energy Price Cap 

The energy price cap limits the maximum amount that energy companies can charge customers on standard variable and default energy tariffs per year for a medium-usage household. It is set by Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, and reviewed four times yearly.

At the time of publishing, the price cap is £2500 and is being reduced to £2074 in July 2023. This guide is based on the new price cap of £2074.

Understanding Appliance Running Costs

Appliance running costs depend on several key factors. The most significant of these is the energy efficiency of the appliance. 

An appliance with a high energy rating will consume less electricity or gas for the same output compared to one with a lower rating. 

The usage patterns – how often and for how long the appliance is used – also significantly impact running costs. Every household will have different usage patterns and times for each appliance.

Finally, the cost of electricity or gas also plays a significant role in determining how much you spend on running your appliances.

The UK Government’s energy price cap will be reduced to £2074 in July 2023. Still, with energy costs standing at 30p per kWh for electricity and 8p per kWh for gas, the actual running costs of appliances will be dependent on their efficiency and usage.

The figures presented are based on the average household use of each appliance.

Breakdown of Appliance Running Costs Per Day, Week, Month and Year After July 2023

Appliance	Daily Cost (£)	Weekly Cost (£)	Monthly Cost (£)	Yearly Cost (£)
Fridge Freezer	0.27	1.89	8.17	98.00
Oven (electric)	0.19	1.32	5.67	68.00
Oven (gas)	0.05	0.37	1.67	20.00
Dishwasher	0.25	1.75	7.50	90.00
Microwave	0.04	0.29	1.25	15.00
Kettle	0.05	0.35	1.50	18.00
Washing Machine	0.19	1.35	5.83	70.00
Tumble Dryer	0.25	1.75	7.50	90.00
Dehumidifier	0.11	0.77	3.33	40.00
Fan	0.03	0.21	0.92	12.00
Gas Boiler	3.68	25.76	112.00	1344.00

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.