General Energy Saving Tips
- Close curtains when it gets dark to keep the heat in. Don't let the curtains hang over the radiators
- Fit a jacket on the hot water cylinder and insulate the water pipes
- Install loft insulation that is at least 270mm deep. This can save around 20% off your heating costs.
- For more hot tips on home heating click here.
Electricity usage in a typical house:
Appliance running costs
Below are the average costs of running appliances. These costs depend on their function and efficiency. Costs listed below are based on a unit cost of 15.06p per unit of electricity (Home Energy Tariff) PLUS 5% VAT(= 15.81p per unit ).
GENERAL APPLIANCES |
POWER RATING
(watts) |
COST TO RUN FOR ONE HOUR
(pence*) |
Computer console |
171 |
3p |
Standard Television-36” |
87 |
2p |
TV-LCD, rear projection-52” |
174 |
3p |
TV-Plasma-50” High Definition |
357 |
6p |
Video Recorder |
60 |
1p |
Printer, Laser Jet |
576 |
10p |
Stereo |
140 |
2p |
Kettle |
1,500 |
24p |
Toaster |
900 |
14p |
Iron |
1,100 |
17p |
Computer & Monitor |
100 – 200 |
2p – 3p |
Shower |
4000 - 7000 |
63p – £1.10 |
Towel Rail |
90-200 |
1p – 3p |
Hair Drier |
300W-1875W |
5p – 30p |
Hair Curler |
350W |
6p |
Electric Blankets |
400 |
6p |
Extractor Fan |
115 |
2p |
Vacuum Cleaner |
780 |
12p |
| HEATING, COOKING |
POWER RATING
(watts) | COST TO RUN FOR ONE HOUR
(pence*) |
3 bar Electric Fire | 3000 | 47p |
1 bar Electric Fire | 1200 | 19p |
Panel Convector | 750 to 3000 | 13p – 47p |
Portable Convector | 2000 to 3000 | 32p – 47p |
Fuel Effect Convector | 2800 | 44p |
Oil Filled Radiator | 500 to 2000 | 8p – 32p |
Fan Heater | 2000 to 3000 | 32p - 47p |
Coffee Maker | 900 | 14p |
Immersion Heater | 3000 | 47p |
Cooker – 1 ring | 1400 | 22p |
– Microwave Oven | 1500 | 24p |
– Oven & rings | 11500 | £1.82 |
WHITE GOODS |
POWER RATING (watts) |
COST TO RUN FOR ONE HOUR
(pence*) |
Washing Machine |
1150 – 2200 |
18p - 35p |
Refrigerator |
600 |
9p |
Freezer |
800 |
13p |
Spin Drier |
250 |
4p |
Dish Washer |
2250 |
36p |
Microwave |
600 to 800 |
9p – 13p |
Clothes Drier |
4900 |
77p |
LIGHTING |
|
COST TO RUN FOR 24 HOURS
(pence*)
|
4Light Bulbs |
40 to 150 |
15p - 57p |
Energy Saving Light Bulb |
11 to 20 |
4p – 8p |
Strip Light |
20 to 65 |
8p – 25p |
* Cost to run an appliance has been rounded to the nearest whole number
The typical standby costs of appliances in the home are:
Below is a list of the typical standby costs for appliances in the home. Costs are based on average wattage and the appliance being left on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The cost per unit of electricity used in these calculations is based on the current Home Energy tariff.
Appliance |
Estimated average standby power (W) |
Energy consumption (kWh per year) |
Cost (£ per year) |
Dishwasher |
0.2 |
1.8 |
£0.27 |
Washing machine |
0.5 |
4.4 |
£0.66 |
Gas hob |
0.2 |
1.8 |
£0.27 |
Electric oven |
3.0 |
26.3 |
£3.95 |
Microwave |
2.3 |
20.1 |
£3.02 |
DVD player |
1.9 |
16.6 |
£2.49 |
Freeview set-top box |
6.4 |
56.1 |
£8.43 |
LCD TV (main TV e.g. in living room) |
2.7 |
23.7 |
£3.56 |
CRT (secondary TV, e.g. in kitchen) |
2.6 |
22.8 |
£3.43 |
Games console |
2.03 |
17.8 |
£2.68 |
Desktop PC |
3.4 |
29.8 |
£4.48 |
Laptop |
1.3 |
11.4 |
£1.71 |
LCD PC monitor |
1.1 |
9.6 |
£1.44 |
Inkjet printer |
1.5 |
13.1 |
£1.97 |
Laser printer |
14.2 |
124.4 |
£18.70 |
