Choosing the ‘right’ appliance 

When buying a new appliance consider

1. The appliance’s energy rating
2. The size (capacity) of the appliance required.

Most types of domestic appliance (see table 1) carry a new UK Energy label that has key information to help the purchaser choose the appliance that best meets their needs.  The information provided is summarised in table 1.  In addition, the noise the appliance makes is stated, (except for TV and electronic displays). 

Critically, the new UK Energy Rating scale was simplified in 2021 to run from A to G rather than the old scale that had added A+++, A++ and A+ ratings as appliances became more energy efficient.  To incentivise manufacturers to develop even more energy efficient appliances, none of the appliances existing at that time were award an “A” rating.   In the new UK Energy Rating scale, “A” is the most energy efficient and “G” is the least energy efficient.   As appliances become even more energy efficient, more models will appear with A and B ratings.  Note that at present, an E rating for freezers, for example, is considered energy efficient.

Unfortunately, ovens and tumble dryers do not carry the new UK Energy label.  They carry a label showing the energy rating in the old A+++ to D (or even G) scale.

With the old scale, “A+++” is the most energy efficient and “G” is the least energy efficient.

Table 1: Summary of information given on UK Energy label

Appliance	Energy Rating (A to G)	Capacity	Duration	Water consumption
Dishwasher	For “Eco” setting per 100 cycles	✔	Of the “Eco” setting	For “Eco” setting
Fridges and Freezers	✔	For chilled and frozen compartments
TV & electronic displays	Per 100 hours	Screen size & resolution
Washing machine	Per 100 washes	✔	Of the “Eco” programme	✔
Washer-Dryer	Per 100 washes – split by wash cycle and wash/dry cycle	✔	Of the “Eco” programme	✔
Wine storage fridge	✔	Number of bottles

Selecting a more energy efficient appliance will have a significant impact on energy bills over the lifetime of the appliance.  For example, the Energy Savings Trust states that selecting a “A” rated mashing machine over a D-rated one with the same capacity will save about £90 over the appliance’s 11-year life. 

However, consider how big an appliance is required.  The energy rating takes into account the capacity or size of the appliance.  A larger “E” rated freezer will still use more electricity than a smaller “E” rated freezer.  A 60-inch TV will use twice as much electricity per year as a 40-inch TV with the same energy rating and almost 3 times as much as a similarly rated 32-inch TV. 

A fan-assisted oven is more efficient than a conventional oven as the hot air circulating round the food enables it to cook at a lower temperature.  Also, a triple glazed door will keep the heat in the oven.

Tumble dryers are available with heat pumps that recycle the heat back into the dryer after the water vapour is condensed out.  Also look for a machine with a sensor that alerts when the clothes are dry enough.  This avoids over-drying and wasting electricity and time.   

Microwave ovens, kettles and computer equipment do not come with energy labels.   However, as microwave ovens heat the food directly rather than the air around the food, they are more energy efficient than a fan-assisted or conventional oven.  There are “Eco” kettles that only boil the water required.  However, by simply avoiding overfilling the kettle and boiling the amount of water required, will save electricity and money. 

Typically, laptops use 85% less electricity than a desktop PC over the same period.  The Energy Savings Trust notes that tablets use even less electricity, typically 70% less than laptops.

Selecting the “right” light bulb 

When selecting the “right” light bulb consider –

1. The type of energy efficient bulb
2. The light output required (measured in lumens)
3. The colour of the light provided by the bulb.

Selecting an appropriate type of light bulb

Light bulbs have evolved greatly in the past 30 years.  Traditional incandescent light bulbs were invented over a century ago.  They are no longer available in shops, as they only converted about 5% of the electrical energy into light and the filaments did not last long.  Halogen bulbs that replaced them were more efficient, but they too are being taken off the market because they are not as efficient as the new energy-efficient light bulbs.

Now the two main types of energy-efficient light bulbs are:

1. compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
2. light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Light bulbs carry a UK energy label in the same way as many appliances.  The rating scale runs from A to G.  LEDs are more energy-efficient than CFLs.  In addition, LEDs are the more adaptable light fitting and are suitable for replacing dimmable lights and spotlights. 

The Energy Savings Trust states that switching a halogen bulb to a LED will save £3 – £4 per year. 

Note that specialist halogen bulbs are still in use in some cooker hoods, ovens and security lights.

Selecting the ‘right’ light output

Traditional incandescent light bulbs were selected on their wattage.  This was a measure of the energy the bulb consumed rather than its brightness or light output.  Now we select the ‘right’ light bulb based on its light output. Light output or brightness is measured in “LUMENS”.  Table 2 below gives a comparison between the wattage of a traditional incandescent light bulb and the lumen rating on a LED or CFL bulb.

Table 2: Comparison of light output between traditional incandescent light bulbs and modern LED and CFL bulbs

Traditional incandescent light bulb	LED or CFL bulb
15 watts	140 lumens
25 watts	250 lumens
40 watts	470 lumens
60 watts	800 lumens
75 watts	1,050 lumens
100 watts	1,520 lumens
150 watts	2,600 lumens

Selecting the ‘right’ colour

Packaging on a LED or CFL bulb will state the bulb’s “colour” and often its “colour rendering index” (CRI). 

Generally, “soft white” or “warm white” LED or CFL bulbs provide a cosy glow that is preferred for domestic lighting.  “Cool white” or “pure white” bulbs are preferred for offices or workshops where clear vision is wanted.  (Note: The packaging may also provide a “K” or Kelvin number between 2000K and 6500K.  This is simply a more accurate, technical measure of the light appearance provided by the bulb than a “colour” description.)

The “colour rendering index” (CRI) is a measure of how accurately a particular bulb displays colours under it compared to natural daylight.  The index ranges from 0 to 100.  At zero (0), all colours look the same while at a CRI of 100, colours appear as in natural light.  Two “soft white” bulbs may have different “colour rendition indexes” with one showing colours more clearly than the other.  The Energy Savings Trust states that a CRI of 80 or more is appropriate for most domestic requirements.  However, bulbs with a CRI of 90 or more are available and they have enhanced colour clarity.