Is my electrical appliance energy-efficient?

Although some appliances may be less expensive upfront, these tend to have a lower energy rating. This means that you may actually be spending a lot more on electric bills in the long run!

Especially as energy prices continue to soar, it’s important to pick the appliances that use fewer kilowatt-hours (kWh) while still satisfying your household’s needs.

What are energy labels?

The energy labels on your electrical appliances will give you an indication of their energy efficiency. It's a legal requirement in all EU countries to place energy labels on mains-powered electrical appliances, i.e., ovens, washing machines, televisions and more.

These labels will contain the appliance's manufacturer and model, energy class, consumption in kilowatts and other technical details such as water consumption or noise levels.

This EU legislation is estimated to gather around 230 million tonnes of oil in energy savings by 2030. Not only does this mean that consumers will save up to 285 euros a year on energy bills, but will reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Europe.

How do energy labels work?

Electrical appliances are rated depending on how much energy they consume. There are seven levels to the ratings, ranging from A (most energy efficient) to G (least energy efficient). For low levels of energy consumption, you should shoot to own appliances with an energy rating closer to A.

Generally, the more energy efficient your appliance is, the less it will cost you to run it. That's why the best savings are gained through appliances with A+++, A++ or A+ ratings. However, some appliances, such as ovens, won't go this high on the rating scale for technical reasons.

If you're interested, we've gathered some of our favourite energy-efficient appliances below. Not only will these electrical appliances save you money on your energy bills, but they're also long-lasting, technologically advanced and sleek.

What type of heater is the most energy efficient?

Electric panel heaters are usually the cheapest to run. Also, these heaters offer a safe and reliable way to warm your home. The downside is that electric heaters are not the cheapest to operate.

At the current price cap of 28p per kWh, an electric heater could cost you around 1 GBP an hour. Especially during the cold winter months ahead, these numbers could really bring up your electricity bill. Luckily, there are plenty of energy-efficient electric heaters for you to choose from:

RDN 500W-2000W Electric Panel Heater

This electric convection heater operates at four output powers: 500W, 1000W, 1500W and 2000W. This means you can choose the heating output depending on your needs.

Also, it contains a thermostat that is accurate to a half degree and will switch the heater off automatically once your room has reached its target temperature.

At an output of 1500W, this model will cost you 40p an hour - less than half the cost of a standard model.

• Energy rating: A
• Price: £98.95
• Features:
  • Precision thermostat
  • 24/7 Digital timer
  • Child lock function
  • Auto open window detection
  • 2-year guarantee

What is the most energy-efficient fridge-freezer?

Fridges and freezers need to be switched on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This makes these appliances some of the most energy consuming, accounting for around 13% of the average household's energy spend.

Especially as these appliances have an incredibly long lifetime, it’s definitely worth looking into your energy-efficient options. In fact, a study found that an energy-efficient fridge could save you up to 100 GBP a year. Our personal favourite is:

LG Centum GBB92MCBAP

This fridge-freezer doubles in its benefits. Not only is it ultra-efficient, costing you around 30 GBP annually to operate, but it also boasts a stunning minimalistic design. It's a little higher in terms of budget, but will likely save you some money in the long run.

• Energy rating: A
• Price: £1899
• Features:
  • DoorCooling+™ technology: up to 32% faster cooling
  • Frost-free technology
  • 20-year guarantee
  • Integrated wine rack

  Find this product here.

  What is the most energy-efficient dishwasher?

  Dishwashers account for 8% of your electricity bill - around 60 to 80 GBP a year. However, an A-rated dishwasher can work out to be 15p in energy per cycle. This is 13p less than the average dishwasher!

  Conversely, a B-rated dishwasher may cost around 18p/cycle, and 22p/cycle for a C-rated machine. Keep in mind that the average household will run a dishwasher around 280 times in a year - the costs really do rack up!  Therefore, we recommend this A-rated dishwasher for your household:

   

  

  Bosch Serie 6 SMS6TCi00E Freestanding Dishwasher

  This sleek dishwasher is ideal for medium-sized households. The machine holds 14 place settings and an innovative cutlery tray. Also, the adjustable top basket allows you to fit in taller items like champagne flutes or baking trays with ease.

  • Energy rating: A
  • Price: £1129
  • Features:
    • VarioDrawer cutlery tray
    • Adjustable basket
    • Silence programme
    • Smartphone controllable

  What is the most energy-efficient washing machine?

  The average D-rated washing machine will cost you around 21p per cycle. On the other hand, an A-rated machine could save you 8p a cycle. Especially as washing machines have extended lifetimes, it's totally worth investing in a higher-rated machine in the long run. Here's our favourite A-rated washing machine:

  

  AEG Softwater Technology L9FEC966R Washing Machine

  This energy-efficient machine uses smart sensors to weigh each washing load, cutting the washing cycle short as soon as your laundry is done. This means you won't waste money on unnecessarily long cycles and will get to enjoy lower energy bills.

  • Energy rating: A
  • Price: £1149
  • Features:
    • Ion-exchange filtering systems (removal of harsh water minerals)
    • Soft Water smart sensors
    • Steaming function
    • Anti-allergy program

   

  Those were some of our favourite energy-efficient appliances. While the costs may seem a little hefty upfront, you'll likely be saving money in the long run. Remember, if you need any further assistance with managing your energy bills this winter, there are plenty of government schemes available for you.