How to use less electricityEnergy-efficient appliances

A washing-machine energy label

Domestic appliances account for 47% of total domestic electricity consumption, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

It's a hefty portion of your annual electricity bill, but there's plenty of ways to cut the costs. By investing in more energy efficient appliances, you could save up to £200 per year!

Fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers account for 18% of the electricity bill in a typical house. Washing machines, tumble-dryers and dishwashers account for a further 14%. And cooking appliances like hobs weigh in at 15%. 

Buy energy efficient

There may seem little you can do to reduce your electricity usage – after all, few of us could function easily without a fridge or washing machine, and that Sunday roast certainly won't cook itself! 

But making more energy-efficient choices when purchasing essential appliances has the potential to cut electricity bills. 

Most white goods and common kitchen appliances have an energy-efficiency rating. For laundry appliances and dishwashers, the most efficient are A rated. For cold appliances look for A++ or A+.

If your current appliance is rated B to G, it can use up to twice the electricity of an A++ product. The tables below show the difference in cost over one year.

Remember these costs stack up. A fridge freezer can last 10 years or more and expect washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers to last more than 6 years.

The difference between A (or A++) and G

Fridge-freezers

Energy costs – fridge freezers
Appliance	Energy efficiency class	Annual cost
Fridge freezer	A++	Less than £14.04
	A+	£17.43
	A	£23.48
	B	£31.47
	C	£39.94
	D	£45.99
	E	£50.83
	F	£56.88
	G	More than £61.00

Dishwashers

Energy costs – dishwashers
Appliance	Energy efficiency rating	Cost per year (five washes per week)
Dishwasher	A	Less than £18.72
	B	£23.92
	C	£28.08
	D	£32.24
	E	£36.40
	F	£40.56
	G	More than £41.60

Tumble dryers

Energy costs – tumble dryers
Appliance	Energy efficiency rating	Cost per year (five washes per week)
Tumble dryer	A	Less than £36.40
	B	£42.95
	C	£48.78
	D	£54.60
	E	£60.42
	F	£66.25
	G	More than £66.98

Washing machines

Energy costs – washing machines
Appliance	Energy efficiency rating	Cost per year (five washes per week)
Washing machine	A	Less than £18.72
	B	£23.92
	C	£28.08
	D	£32.24
	E	£36.40
	F	£40.56
	G	More than £41.60

TVs

The bigger your TV, the more power it consumes. But some technologies are more power hungry than others, whatever the size.

Averaged out, conventional cathode ray TVs are the most energy efficient, followed by LCD, with plasma being the least efficient. 

In tests in January 2008, the 42” plasma sets ranged from 200W to 300W. The 32” LCD sets measured from 100W to 200W.

Power use of TVs