Six essential household appliances now cost more £450 a year to run

Six essential household appliances now cost more £450 a year to run as prices surge by 58% since the cost-of-living crisis hit – how much is your TV, tumble dryer and oven costing you?

• Between Oct 2021 and April 2023 running costs rocketed from £283 to £447
• Increase of £164 a year highlights the continuing strain on hard-hit households

The annual cost of running household appliances has shot up by 58 per cent in the last 18 months. 

Between October 2021 and April 2023, the average running cost for common appliances such as a washing machine and a fridge rocketed from £283 to £447.

This increase of £164 a year highlights the continuing strain of the cost of living crisis on hard-hit households across the UK. 

Consumer website Which? looked at the increased running cost of the most popular sizes and types of appliances, including a washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, fridge freezer, TV and oven, and calculated running costs for a year using the different electricity rates for a standard variable tariff between October 2021 and April 2023.

The research marks the end of the government’s £400 energy discount, which up until today had given each household a monthly £67 top-up to help with rising energy bills.

The average running cost for common appliances has rocketed from £283 to £447

A washing machine is one of the most frequently used appliances, especially in busy households, but the average annual cost of running one with a 9kg capacity increased from £49 in October 2021 to £77.47 in April 2023.

To save as much money as possible, Which? recommends avoiding small loads and only putting one on if the machine is about 80 per cent full.

Lower temperature washes at 30°C can cut energy use by 38 per cent on average compared to a 40°C wash.

A washing machine is one of the most frequently used appliances, especially in busy households 

The average running cost of a heat pump tumble dryer, also with a capacity of 9kg, was £43.95 in October 2021 and has now risen to £69.49.

Bills can be reduced by not using the machine and instead hanging them outdoors or inside but with the windows open to avoid damp. 

Which? advises that should it be necessary to use the dryer, separate clothes by fabric type – as different fabrics take different lengths of time to dry.

Dishwashers are now one of the more expensive appliances to run each year, with data showing an 58.1 per cent increase from £60 in October 2021, to £94.86 in April 2023.

Like the tumble dryer, money can be saved by simply not using the dishwasher and instead washing things by hand – although this does use more water. 

Dishwashers are now one of the more expensive appliances to run each year, with data showing an 58.1 per cent increase

Ovens use less electricity than other household appliances, but households have still seen an increase in annual running costs. 

On average, a built-in single electric oven costs £77.02 per year to run, which has risen from £48.71 in October 2021.

Microwaves, air fryers or slow cookers are alternative that can save money, alternatively bulk cooking can reduce energy usage.

For example, it costs 18p to roast a chicken in an air fryer, compared with 38p in a built-in electric oven. 

The fridge freezer is commonplace in every kitchen, and is almost always turned on for the entire year.

The average integrated fridge freezer currently costs £139.90 to run, having risen from £62.19 in October 2021. 

Meanwhile, freestanding and American models cost £165.36 and £211.84 respectively, an increase from £48.17 and £103.07 a year in October 2021.

There are few actions that can save money and energy with fridge freezers, other than making sure the door is closed, the door seals aren’t damaged and letting leftovers cool down before refrigerating. 

The average integrated fridge freezer currently costs £139.90 to run, having risen from £62.19 in October 2021

Watching TV uses little energy on daily basis, but the annual running cost has still doubled, with a 40-43 inch model costing £30.15 per year now compared to £19.07 in October 2021.

Emily Seymour, Which? Energy Editor, said: ‘Our research shows running costs for common household appliances have risen by a huge amount – putting yet another dent in household finances when so many are feeling the pressures of the cost of living crisis.

‘The good news is that there are things you can do to cut back on energy costs linked to these appliances and applying some or all of these tips could make a difference to your bills.’

The energy price cap, which became less generous from April 1, has been limiting the amount that domestic customers pay to 34p per kilowatt hour (kWh) for electricity and 10.3p per kWh for gas – which works out at £2,500 per year for the average household.

Ofgem lowered its energy price cap from £4,279 per year to £3,280 for the average household.

Also factoring in today’s end of the £400 energy rebate scheme – paid in six instalments of £66 and £67 a month – means that the energy cost for households is inevitably increasing even more.

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