Plug into better machines

You can halve the electricity bill and CO2 emissions from your labour-saving machines simply by switching to energy-efficient ones. Modern fridge freezers use over 60% less power than older models, the latest washing machines and dishwashers save up to 40% in energy (and boatloads of water too), and the same applies to tumble dryers.

All you need to know about upgrading to a more efficient machine:

• Find out what UK and European energy labels to look for.
• Here's a list of energy-efficient models approved by The Energy Saving Trust, a UK non-profit, plus places to buy them.
• This staggeringly handy site tells you exactly how much energy 89 different models of dryers use based on 25 different electricity providers in 14 European countries.
• As a rule, the more water a machine uses, the more energy it consumes. UK NGO Waterwise lists the top washing machines and dishwashing machines around.
• Machine chemicals can damage the environment so please recycle your inefficient machines properly when the time comes. Find the right UK local authority contact to come and collect them.

More info from the Green Thing Wiki >>

Here's a thing...this is one of the rare occasions when it's ok not to Stick With What You Got. New machines are more efficient than older models and even taking into account the CO2 used to make them, they will save more in the long run. That said, appliance technology has standardised in recent years so if you can find a second-hand Energy Saving Recommended product or EU energy label A++ rated machine from 2005 onwards, it should be as energy-efficient as new.