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Green Appliances
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Green Appliances Guide
With the rising cost of electricity and the credit crunch starting to affect us all there has never been a better time to invest in an energy effect “green” appliance.
Here in the UK we spend £2.8 billion a year on electricity to power our millions of tumble dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, fridges and freezers.
The financial cost to us and the environmental costs to our planet are something we can no longer ignore and there are solutions to reducing these financial costs and carbon emissions in the shape of Energy Saving Recommended (green) products. Studies have shown that if all the kitchen appliances in the UK were upgraded to Energy Saving Recommended appliances, energy wastage would be cut by over two thirds. Did you know that buying an Energy Efficiency Recommended Refrigerator could save you around £45 a year.
Appliances Energy Rating
Energy Saving Recommended appliances are the most energy efficient appliances on the market. They will conform to strict criteria and will carry a rating from A+ to G. The most energy efficient products are rated A+, on a descending scale to G, which will be least efficient. G rated items will cost the most to run, and will impact the environment the most.
To help you find an energy efficient appliance we have added a list of our best selling energy efficient kitchen appliances below along with some other useful links that we hope will help you along the way to choosing the correct energy efficient appliance for you.
Energy Saving Tips
It is impossible to ignore our impact on the Earth’s climate. The energy we consume on a daily basis creates carbon dioxide which affects the environment. Not only are we paying higher prices for the energy we use in our homes, but that energy has a detrimental effect on the environment. With the rising cost of energy, as well as the impact of climate change, it is important to know what we can do as individuals to reduce the cost of running household appliances, as well as help our climate for future generations.
There are things we can all do every day to reduce our energy usage. Below are some money-saving tips for reducing energy usage in our homes.
Dishwashing
It is more energy efficient to run a dishwasher than it is to wash dishes by hand. However, it is important to only run your dishwasher when you have a full load. If you need to wash dishes but your dishwasher is not full, you can run it using the HALF LOAD option. Avoid using the PRE RINSE option on your dishwasher- it is unnecessary unless you are washing heavily soiled dishes or pots and pans. Run the dishwasher on as low a temperature as is appropriate, and add salt to the machine if you live in a hard water area. This will soften the water and make the most of the wash and rinse cycles. If you are looking for an energy efficient dishwasher, you can find information here: More information
Washing and Drying
When washing clothes, avoid running half loads, and if you need to do so, make sure to choose the HALF LOAD option. If your washing machine has a DELAY TIMER, you can delay the entire cycle, or parts of the programme to begin in the evening, when it will be less expensive to run the machine. If your clothes are not particularly soiled, utilise the QUICK WASH option instead of running a longer wash cycle. When choosing a machine, choose one with a high SPIN SPEED/SPIN PERFORMANCE as your clothes will come out drier. Keep the wash temperature as low as possible. Many washing detergents will work in 30 degree temperatures, so it is not necessary to run hotter washes except for heavily soiled clothing.
When drying clothes, it is important that if you are using a vented tumble dryer, that you empty the water tank often. Clean the lint screen after every load, and take advantage of lower priced electricity by running the machine in the evening, or using a DELAY TIMER. You can find information on energy efficient washing machines here: More Information
Try the handy little Siemens Washing Energy Calculator from the Siemens appliance website to help calculate how much you could save by purchasing a new energy efficient washing machine today against the cost of your current washing machine. Washing Energy Calculator
Refrigeration
The most obvious tip for saving energy on your refrigerator/fridge freezer is to keep the door closed as often as possible. Keep the temperature as warm as is safe for the food inside, and make sure that the freezer does not accumulate ice. If you do not have a frost free freezer, you may need to de-ice the freezer every few months.
There is a lot information on energy saving tips for your home here: More Information
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