When should you replace old appliances?
Are you still running a twenty-year-old fridge or washing machine? It might seem like the thrifty or even green option to keep it, but have you considered how much it is costing you to run?
Fridges and freezers are running 24 hours a day, washing machines and dishwashers have to heat large amounts of water. Therefore, kitchen appliances (and cars) are likely to use many times more energy in their lives than was used to manufacture them. And if you are buying second-hand appliances consider the potential running costs.
Electricals consume around 20% of the energy in our homes; with appliances consuming the bulk of this. The energy efficiency of kitchen appliances has improved dramatically in recent years due to stricter regulations and improved technology. Use our electricity cost calculator for appliances to see how much you could save per year.
Set the sliders to the year of manufacture of your appliances
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Please note: These figures are based on averages and only meant as a guide and assume the appliance is still working correctly. Even larger savings could be made if you choose the most efficient products that appear in our efficiency rankings.
Electricity costs calculated at UK Average Electricity Tariff of 14.3p per unit.
See the most Energy Efficient Electricals
What should I do with old appliances?
Our advice is not to allow your old appliances to 'trickle down' into the second-hand market or even give them away, as people tend to keep them in the outhouse or garage inflating their energy bills! Please take your old appliances to the recycling centre, or choose a retailer who takes your old kitchen appliances away to WEEE approved recycling facility.
Data sources: DECC / Bonn University / Sust-it