Carbon Saved by Using a More Energy-Efficient Appliance
In the interests of saving vast amounts of energy and precious resources, we would normally advocate re-using and buying your household items second-hand as much as possible. However in the case of home appliances, this might be one occasion when buying new might actually be better for the environment. Recent years have seen a huge increase in the number of energy saving appliances on the market, and all appliances in the EU must now by law exhibit their energy rating. Here's a quick guide to the recognised energy rating labelling systems in use:
Energy Rating Labels
EU Energy Label
The European energy label must appear on all fridges, freezers, tumble dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, electric ovens, air conditioners and lighting. Appliances are rated from A to G, where A is the most energy efficient, and G is the least. The exception is fridges and freezers whose ratings can extend to A+ and A++ for the most efficient.
Energy Saving Recommended logo
The Energy Saving Recommended logo appears only on the most energy efficient products. For example, the logo will only appear on fridges rated as A+ and washing machines as AAA. The logo appears on products that have been approved by the Energy Saving Trust, and is designed to make it simpler to opt for energy-efficient products.
Energy Star
This is the US equivalent of the Energy Saving Recommended logo. Energy efficient appliances carry the blue Energy Star logo, but eligible products extend beyond home appliances and lighting to office equipment, windows and even homes.
Let's see how energy efficient appliances compare with less efficient ones.
Carbon saved by switching to an energy efficient appliance
According to the Energy Saving Trust, here's how much CO2 you can save annually by using an energy efficient appliance instead of your old model:
Dishwasher - 85kg CO2
An Energy Saving Recommended dishwasher uses 40% less energy per cycle
Fridge Freezer - 150kg CO2
Energy Saving Recommended fridges and fridge freezers will reduce your energy consumption by 60%. If everyone upgraded to one of these, it would result in electricity bill savings of over £900 million.
Washing Machine - 42kg CO2
An Energy Saving Recommended washing machine could reduce your energy consumption by up to a third.
Tumble Dryer - 251kg CO2
An A rated tumble dryer uses almost a third of the energy of older models per cycle.
This is an average of 132kg CO2 per appliance.
Over 3 million tons of CO2 would be saved if every household in the UK changed just one of their appliances to an energy efficient one.
Second-hand energy efficient products
The Energy Saving Recommended labelling scheme was launched in 2000, evolving and developing for the next 5 years until product standards were finalised between 2005 and 2006
Although the scheme will probably continue to develop, based on this it is reasonably safe to say that an energy efficient product 2 to 3 years old will nearly be as good as a new one. So we would encourage you to keep an eye out for second hand energy efficient products. Here are some places you might find them:
Ebay - www.ebay.co.uk or www.ebay.com
Amazon Marketplace - http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?ie=UTF8&nodeId=3149101
The online retailer has an area on their website dedicated to buying and selling second-hand goods
Gumtree - www.gumtree.com
The home page defaults to London but you can select your city from the home page and go to 'Stuff for Sale'
Sort it - www.sort-it.org.uk/results.asp?AuthID=99&SubCatID=125
This is a directory listing for Scotland with refurbished electrical appliances that have been fully tested
Buy it in Wales - www.buyitinwales.com/appliances.aspx
Second hand appliances for sale in Wales
Junkk - www.junkk.com
Website with environmental issues at its core, listing second hand appliances.
Disposing of your old appliances
Appliances can contain potentially harmful and toxic chemicals, so if you are replacing your old machine, please dispose of it properly. Here's how you can go about it:
Local councils
Councils have to collect unwanted household items from householders, although there may be small charge depending on the council. Householders on certain benefits may be exempt. To find your relevant local authority and more information on special collections, have a look at: http://local.direct.gov.uk/LDGRedirect/index.jsp?LGSL=528&LGIL=0&ServiceName=Apply%20for%20a%20special%20collection%20for%20large%20items
Tips
Appliances can be taken to the local tip for free, where it will be disposed of safely.
Retailers and the WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment) Directive
Under the new WEEE Directive which came into effect on 1 July 2007, manufacturers and retailers are now obliged to enable customers to recycle their old appliances.
Retailers must either take back your old appliance in-store on a like-for-like basis, or help fund local councils' recycling services, and therefore be able to tell you where to take it. As long as your old appliance matches your new one, it doesn't matter where you originally bought it.
How to find energy efficient appliances
Here are some places which might help you find new energy efficient appliances:
List of Energy Saving recommended products:
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy_saving_products/latest_energy_saving_recommended_products
List of Energy Saving recommended retailers:
http://msnmoney.est.org.uk/energy_saving_products/find_an_energy_saving_recommended_retailer
List of Energy Star rated products:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.
Listing of the top 12 most water-efficient washing machines
http://www.waterwise.org.uk/reducing_water_wastage_in_the_uk/house_and_garden/ranking_of_washing_machines.html
Listing of the top 12 most water-efficient dishwashers
http://www.waterwise.org.uk/reducing_water_wastage_in_the_uk/house_and_garden/ranking_of_dishwashers.html
Sust-it.net - Provides a ranked breakdown of information on the most energy efficient products on the market, depending on your particular energy supplier.
http://www.sust-it.net/home-white_goods.php
