Our in-depth lab testing enables us to accurately measure energy usage for a wide range of products, including dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers, and we see dramatic differences in terms of how much energy they use.
GFan heater
We generally advise using electric heaters for short bursts of time, which is why we publish an hourly calculation of energy use, rather than yearly.
– what’s the best and cheapest way to keep warm in bed?Washing machine
Not only is it wasteful with energy, but it’s also excessive in its water consumption. The cottons wash cycle goes through a total of 116 litres – an amount equivalent to filling a bath twice. So although at £499 it’s reasonably-priced, the usage costs could soon add up.
: which is more cost-effective?Dishwasher
This isn’t ideal, especially as when we delve into the cost of using the main dishwasher program, the figures were a let-down. Running the main program five times per week for a year would result in an annual cost of £88.89, surpassing the average of £78. The cheapest full-sized dishwasher we’ve tested costs around £55 per year.
Tumble dryer
The average annual running cost for vented tumble dryers is £147, while condenser machines cost £140 annually. But if you want to save on your electricity bills, go for an energy-efficient heat pump tumble dryer, which costs £57 on average a year to run.
Fridge freezer
There are different types of fridge freezers and your energy costs will vary according to type. On average, a freestanding fridge freezer costs around £81 per year to run, while a large American-style fridge freezer costs over £117 – that's around 44% more, so if you definitely want one, be sure to pick an energy-efficient model.
Built-in oven
If you find yourself using your oven nearly every day, you must also account for the additional costs associated with preheating, so an inefficient oven could end up adding a lot to your overall energy expenses.
Kettle
When it comes to kettles, you can splurge on premium models costing over £100 that have extra features like variable temperature settings. On the other hand, you can go for a no-frills own-brand kettle for around a tenner. Both types can be equally as good at delivering a cuppa.
TVs
We’ve tested thousands of televisions over the years. Obviously, screen size plays a large part in terms of how much energy they use, and a large 65-inch TV will cost much more than a 32-inch.
We’ve crunched the numbersWhat are Eco Buys?
Whether your priority is making more environmentally friendly choices or spending less on running your appliances, our Eco Buys are among the most sustainable and energy efficient we’ve tested.
From dishwashers to fridge-freezers, Eco Buy appliances have a lower environmental impact over their lifespan compared to rivals. This could be due to energy usage, a design that’s easy to repair or a brand with a proven reliability record so it’s more likely to last a long time.
An appliance that doesn’t work well or breaks easily will need to be replaced more quickly, costing more money and adding to landfill, so it makes sense to choose wisely.
How we calculate costs
Running costs assume an electricity cost of 27.35p per kWh. On 23rd November Ofgem will announce the unit rates for January 2024 so the running costs on our website are to be updated then. Unit rates and hence running costs are expected to go up.
For our calculations, we presume you’re paying the average rate for electricity as set by Ofgem. To determine how much they cost over a year, we use an example scenario of how often each appliance is used by the average household. So, if you use your appliances particularly often or irregularly, you’ll need to scale our numbers up or down. Please note that the average running cost of these appliances depend on individual usage.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/beware-cheap-appliances-that-cost-you-twice-as-much-in-the-long-run-ahupG9F9nT94