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Highlighting Fisher & Paykel's Social Kitchen design philosophy featuring a number of their appliances, including a fridge-freezer.

July 15, 2024

Top Energy Efficient Kitchen Appliances

Being kind to the environment and saving money is very important for all households. Luckily, energy efficient kitchen appliances can help with both! These appliances use less energy, which means they are better for the planet and can save you money on your energy bills. The kitchen, being a busy part of the home, is a great place to start using these smart gadgets. This blog will talk about the benefits of energy efficient appliances, show you the best ones for your kitchen, and give you tips on how to save energy while cooking.

by Appliance City

a visual explanation of appliance energy rating labels and efficiency.

Why Are Energy Efficient Appliances Good For The Environment?

1. Reduced Carbon Footprint

Older appliances often waste a lot of energy, leading to higher carbon emissions. Energy efficient appliances, on the other hand, minimise energy waste. For instance, an A rated refrigerator can use 45% less energy than a similar appliance with a lower rating.

2. Less Strain on Power Grids

Energy efficient appliances use less energy, which helps reduce the burden on power plants. This can prevent blackouts and reduce the need for building more power plants. It’s especially important during peak times, when lots of people are using electricity at the same time.

3. Saving Natural Resources

Making electricity usually involves burning fossil fuels, which are limited and can run out. By using less energy, we can help save these resources and support a more sustainable way of living.

4. Reduction of Pollutants

Less energy consumption means fewer pollutants released into the atmosphere. This includes not only carbon dioxide but also other harmful emissions like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to air pollution and acid rain.

Can Energy Efficient Appliances Impact Energy Bills?

1. Lower Energy Consumption

Energy-efficient appliances use new advanced technology to work better with less power. For example, an induction hob heats up faster and wastes less energy than a regular electric hob.

2. Cost Savings Over Time

Even though energy efficient appliances might cost more at first, they save money on energy bills. This means that over time, you will save money. For example, an energy efficient washing machine can save you an average of £85 a year.

3. Smart Energy Use

Many modern energy efficient appliances have smart features that let you monitor and control your energy use. Things like programmable timers and eco-modes can help you save even more energy.

Close up of a Bosch fridge freezer with the door open featuring lots of fresh and brightly coloured food and drink.

What Kitchen Appliances Use The Most Energy?

Dishwashers, Washing Machines, and Tumble Dryers

These machines use a lot of energy—about 14% of your home’s energy bill! This is because they need a lot of power to heat the water or air inside.

Here are some tips to save energy on these appliances:

  • Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances: Look for appliances that use less energy. They can cost half as much to run as regular ones.
  • Use Lower Temperature Settings: Set your machines to a lower temperature, or an eco setting if they have one.
  • Run Full Loads: Only use your dishwasher, washing machine, or dryer when you have a full load. This way, you’ll use them less often and save energy.

Fridges and Freezers

Fridges and freezers use about 13% of your home’s energy bill because they need to be on all the time.

Here are some tips to save energy and money:

  • Invest in Energy Efficient Models: If your fridge or freezer isn’t energy efficient, getting a new one can save you money over time since these appliances can last up to 17 years.
  • Shop Smart: Look for fridges and freezers with a good energy rating.
  • Choose Smaller Models: If you don’t need a large fridge or freezer, opt for a smaller one. A smaller appliance with the same energy rating as a bigger one will use less energy.

What Are The Best Energy Efficient Appliances In The Kitchen?

Some kitchen appliances use less energy than others. Below are some of the most energy efficient appliances:

Heat pump tumble dryers are great at saving energy when drying clothes. They recycle the heat made while drying, so they don’t use as much electricity as regular dryers. Here are some reasons why they’re great:

  • Energy Savings: Heat pump dryers use up to 50% less energy than traditional vented or condenser tumble dryers.
  • Lower Drying Temperatures: They dry clothes at lower temperatures, which is gentler on fabrics and can extend the life of clothing.
  • Cost-Effective: The initial higher cost of a heat pump dryer is often made back through energy savings over its lifespan.

Induction hobs are highly efficient cooking appliances that use electromagnetic energy to heat pots and pans directly. This method of cooking offers several advantages:

  • Quick Heating: Induction hobs heat up much faster than traditional gas or electric stoves, which reduces cooking time and energy use.
  • Energy Efficiency: They are about 90% efficient compared to 65-70% for traditional electric stoves and 40-50% for gas stoves.
  • Safety: The hob surface remains relatively cool, reducing the risk of burns and making them safer for households with children.

Electric fan ovens, or convection ovens, use a fan to circulate hot air evenly around the food. This efficient heat distribution offers many benefits:

  • Faster Cooking: Food cooks faster and more evenly, which can save up to 20% on energy compared to conventional ovens.
  • Lower Cooking Temperatures: The even heat distribution allows for lower cooking temperatures, further reducing energy consumption.
  • Versatility: These ovens are excellent for baking, roasting, and grilling, providing a versatile cooking option that is energy efficient.

Slow cookers, also known as crockpots, are a staple in many kitchens due to their convenience and energy efficiency:

  • Low Power Consumption: Slow cookers use minimal electricity, making them one of the most energy efficient cooking methods.
  • Economical Cooking: They are ideal for preparing soups, stews, and casseroles, which can be made using inexpensive ingredients.
  • Nutritional Benefits: Cooking at low temperatures helps retain more nutrients in the food compared to high heat cooking methods.

Microwaves are incredibly energy efficient for certain cooking tasks, particularly for reheating and cooking small portions:

  • Quick Cooking: Microwaves cook food quickly, which reduces energy use compared to conventional ovens.
  • Low Energy Use: They use significantly less energy than traditional ovens, especially for small or quick cooking tasks.
  • Versatility: Modern microwaves come with a variety of functions, including grilling and convection, which can handle a wide range of cooking tasks efficiently.

Air fryers have become popular for their ability to cook food quickly with minimal oil. They are also great because of:

  • Efficient Cooking: They use hot air circulation to cook food evenly and quickly, reducing cooking times and energy consumption.
  • Healthier Cooking: Air fryers require little to no oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods.
  • Versatile Uses: Besides frying, they can be used for baking, roasting, and grilling, making them a versatile addition to any kitchen.

What Is The Best Appliance Energy Rating?

The best appliance energy rating depends on the type of appliance you are looking at. Before 2021, all energy ratings were graded between A+++ to D. However, due to many advancements in energy efficient technology, 80% of appliances were found at the top of this scale. To simply this, most appliances are now graded between A to G. This means that appliances that once had an energy rating of A will now appear to have a much lower energy rating, whereas those with an energy rating of A+++ will now have an energy rating of A.

Appliances with higher energy ratings are designed to be the most energy efficient and have the lowest running costs. Here’s why this rating matters:

Energy Savings:

Highly rated appliances use significantly less energy compared to those with lower ratings, leading to substantial savings on energy bills.

Environmental Impact:

Using appliances with higher energy ratings helps reduce overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Future Proofing:

Investing in highly rated appliances ensures that you are using the most advanced and efficient technology available, which can remain relevant and effective for many years.

Additional Tips To Save Energy When Cooking

Bulk Cook

Plan your meals for the week or month, and batch cook as much as possible. Once cooked, you can store your meals in the fridge or microwave.

Regularly Defrost

If you have a freezer that needs to be defrosted manually, do this regularly. This will help to maintain the energy efficiency. A good rule of thumb is not to let frost build up over a quarter of an inch.

Consider Using a Steamer

Using a steamer is a great way to layer more vegetables on top of each other, using just one hob or small appliance to cook them.

Use Lids on Pots and Pans

Covering pots and pans helps retain heat, allowing food to cook faster and reducing energy use.

Match Pot Size to Burner Size

Using the right size pot for the burner ensures that heat is not wasted around the sides.

Use Residual Heat

Turn off the oven or stove a couple of minutes before the end of the cooking time to use the residual heat to finish cooking the food.

Choose the Right Appliance

For small cooking tasks, use a smaller appliance, such as a microwave or air fryer, instead of a full-sized oven.

Good Appliance Maintenance

Regular maintenance, such as cleaning oven doors or replacing worn seals, ensures that your appliances run efficiently.

Are Energy Efficient Appliances Worth It?

Long-Term Savings

The reduced energy consumption of these appliances leads to lower utility bills, which can offset the higher initial purchase cost over time.

Environmental Benefits

Using less energy means fewer greenhouse gases are emitted, contributing to a healthier environment.

Improved Performance

Energy efficient appliances often come with advanced features and better performance, making everyday tasks easier and more convenient.

Increased Home Value

Homes equipped with energy efficient appliances can be more attractive to potential buyers, potentially increasing the property’s value.