Page last updated at 14:19 GMT, Friday, February 4 2011

Energy Efficient Home Appliances

Our appliances

... account for a significant proportion of the energy we use at home.  And, as a majority of homes are now insulated the proportion we use on heating them will decrease, meaning a larger part of our bills will be in our direct control and depend on what appliances we choose, and how, and for how long, we choose to use them.

Always buy Energy Saving Trust A rated or greater appliances.

The Energy Saving Trust test a number of products each year and their rating is set by an independent panel based on strict criteria.   Only products that have been rated and passed these tests can carry this logo.  Choosing products that carry an A, A+, or even greater will save you money every year for years to come.

Visit the Energy Saving Trust website for more advice on energy efficient appliances, lighting, home entertainment, and computer equipment.

How do I tell how much my appliances are using?

New products will often give an indication of the amount of electricity they will use in an 'average household' per year, but a very direct way to find out how much electricity your home is using is to obtain an electricity monitor.  All Eastleigh libraries carry these for free loan.  They are easy to clip in, and display the level of electricity in kilowatts (kW) that your home is using at every moment.  By turning various appliances off and on, you can see what contribution each item is drawing.  There are also products that you can attach to an individual appliance to determine its rating.

A World Wildlife Fund Report has recommended the website TopTen for information about the energy efficiency, environmental and other performance criteria for a range of appliances, cars, and more.  This is European based but can provide some useful information for British residents as well.