Majority of Brits Unaware of Their Home’s Energy Costs, With Electric Shower Identified as the Most Expensive Appliance

A significant number of Brits are in the dark about the energy usage in their homes, with only one in 10 aware that the electric shower is the most expensive appliance to run.

A study of 2,000 adults found that 47 percent have no idea about the operating costs of individual household items. Surprisingly, 25 percent of adults believe that the kettle is the most expensive item to run, while 14 percent think it is the oven and 13 percent believe it is the dishwasher.

Furthermore, more than one-third of adults incorrectly assume that the tumble dryer is the costliest appliance to run in one hour, when in reality, it is cheaper than the central heating system.

The research, commissioned by Utilita, an energy company focused on promoting energy awareness, revealed several misconceptions about energy usage. For instance, one in 10 people think a fridge freezer consumes more electricity than a hairdryer, when it actually uses more than 10 times less.

Utilita’s spokesperson emphasized the importance of knowledge and energy awareness: “When it comes to energy, knowledge is power – the more data you see about your home’s energy usage, the more money you save – it’s really as simple as that.”

The study also highlighted that six in 10 Brits have noticed a significant increase in their energy bills over the past year, likely due to extended periods spent at home during lockdown. Surprisingly, almost half of them were surprised by the rise in costs, despite colder winters and increased TV usage.

Arguments over the excessive use of electrical items occur weekly in one-tenth of households. The top electricity-consuming items that Brits argue about include heating, tumble dryers, electric heaters, and televisions.

Over 56 percent of Brits claimed that knowing the exact cost of running electrical appliances in their homes would make them more conscious of their usage. However, over four in 10 adults admitted to not making the effort to switch off appliances or leave them on standby.

Utilita’s spokesperson urged individuals to be mindful of their energy consumption, stating that small changes like turning off TVs at the plug can collectively lead to significant savings and help protect the environment.

According to Utilita’s data, the 30 most expensive electrical items to run in the home, along with their average hourly costs, are as follows:

  1. Electric shower – £1.66
  2. Heating (average house) – £0.92
  3. Electric heater – £0.65
  4. Fan-assisted oven – £0.46
  5. Kettle – £0.43
  6. Hairdryer – £0.41
  7. Tumble dryer – £0.37
  8. Dishwasher – £0.37
  9. Toaster – £0.22
  10. Iron – £0.19
  11. Coffee machine – £0.15
  12. Microwave – £0.15
  13. Vacuum cleaner – £0.13
  14. Food processor – £0.06
  15. Computer – £0.04
  16. Fridge freezer – £0.04
  17. Slow cooker – £0.03
  18. Playstation – £0.02
  19. Xbox – £0.02
  20. Old-style incandescent lightbulb – £0.02
  21. Laptop – £0.01
  22. Bathroom towel heater – £0.01
  23. Ceiling fan – £0.01
  24. Pedestal fan – £0.01
  25. TV – £0.007
  26. Straighteners – £0.005
  27. Electric shaver – £0.003
  28. Games console on standby – £0.002
  29. LED lightbulb – £0.001
  30. Mobile phone charger – £0.001

Scott Calland

Scott Calland is a highly regarded content specialist with an English Degree. He has a passion for creating compelling content as a UK journalist that engages, informs, and entertains readers. With over 10 years of experience in creating news publications as a reporter, Scott has developed a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of how to craft content that resonates with audiences. Working closely with data analysts Scott’s research on topics is unrivalled for latest news updates.

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