Washing Machines and
Dishwashers used
over 500 billion
litres of water in the
UK during 2000
(94% of which was
Washing Machines)

In the Kitchen - Large Appliances

Although many of us are trying to live a more frugal and simpler life, most of us still need the benefits of Appliances around the home - and why not!!
But simply to buy the cheapest isn't always the answer to long term savings and all too often or not, we may not be doing the future of our Planet much good either.
Here's a few guidelines on Kitchen Appliances....

REFRIDGERATORS
It's a bit like a home, but the other way round. You want to keep the cold in and the heat out and doing this ensures savings on the thermostat which won't be switching itself on and off all.
Savings can also be made by placing it in the right place. Next or close to an Oven, Heater or Boiler will again make it work harder thus reducing it's efficiency, adding to your bills and using valuable energy.
If the thermostat is going a lot regardless of the above, do the paper test..
Open the door, place a piece of paper in frame and close the door. If you can slide the paper or move it, there's enough gap there to cause heat getting in.

FREEZERS
The major thing often overlooked with Freezers is they should be de-frosted on a regular basis. If they're not, it will cause problems with the thermostat and not allow sufficient space around the stored food.
Keep your Freezer as full as possible so as there's less 'air' for the thermostat to freeze. If the levels go down, crumble up plastic bags and fill the gaps.
Automatic Defrosting Freezers add 40% onto the cost of the bill - best do it yourself!
Chest Freezers are usually less expensive than Uprights and are good for putting in a shed, long term storage and usually slightly less expensive to run. The limitations are obvious, which is searching down inside to find those Broad Beans you stored six month's previous (always label!!).
Upright Freezers are the opposite to above really, but are a lot more handy for indoor use when you are using food from it on a regular basis.
Freezers should be kept at about -18 degrees. For each degree below that temperature, you will be wasting and extra 5% on your electricity bills.

WASHING MACHINES
You can be very cost effective with Washing Machines. Go for a 6/7kg capacity or above size and this will reduce the amount of times you have to use it.
Using a 40 degree wash rather than a 60 degree wash will save you over 30% of the running costs. This can be bettered by using 'Quick Wash' and 'Half Load' wherever possible.

Look for the European Eco Label which assures you of conformity to eco standards and read up on the Energy ratings A - G.

TUMBLE DRYERS
First of all it should be said that you will use less energy by having a separate Washing Machine and Dryer. Also this has the benefit of running both at the same time if you wash a lot.
Put the clothes into the Dryer as least wet as possible. It is more cost effective to give them an extra spin in the Washer than to have the Tumble Dryer going for longer.
Obviously, the best Dryer of them all is the Sun!!

DISH WASHERS
These to some people are 'something for those who are lazy and can afford it', which in most cases in an unfair Statement. More and more couples both work and keep kids as well, so a Dish Washer has it's benefits in many ways.
There are actually a few positives about 'Dishwasher over Hand Wash'. Dishwashers will use less water than a Hand Wash (see here) and by purchasing one with the best possible eco-friendly code, it does make quite good sense in having one! But, make sure it's full, don't do half full washes.