With energy bills on the rise, understanding how your appliances impact your household costs is more important than ever. Some devices quietly drain electricity, even when you’re not using them, while others consume large amounts simply by design.
But how do you know which ones are the biggest culprits for increasing your energy costs?
Here’s how to spot the high-energy appliances in your home and what you can do to reduce their impact on your bills.
🔌 1. Understand What “High-Energy” Really Means
A high-energy appliance in your home uses a lot of electricity during operation or over time. These appliances tend to:
- Run frequently or for long durations (e.g. refrigerators, heating systems).
- Use heat or cooling elements (e.g. tumble dryers, electric ovens, kettles).
- Stay plugged in and draw “phantom power” even in standby mode (e.g., TVs, routers).
Look out for home appliances with high wattage (measured in W or kW) — the higher the wattage, the more energy they use per hour.
🔍 2. Check the Energy Label
Most modern appliances in the UK are sold with an energy efficiency label. The label grades the appliance from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and provides an estimate of its annual energy consumption in kilowatt hours (kWh).
- Older appliances may have outdated ratings, especially those labelled before the rating scale was revised in 2021.
- For fridges, washing machines, dishwashers, and TVs, the label is a great way to compare energy usage at a glance.
⚠️ 3. Watch Out for These Common High-Energy Appliances
Here are some typical energy-hungry appliances you may already have in your home:
| Appliance | Average Yearly Cost (Est.) | Why It’s High-Energy |
| Tumble Dryer | £60-£150 | Uses heat and runs for long periods |
| Electric Shower | £50-£120 | Heats water on demand, high wattage |
| Fridge-Freezer (Old models) | £40-£100 | Always on, may be inefficient |
| Electric Oven | £30-£70 | High power needed for cooking |
| Kettle | £20-£60 | Short bursts but very high wattage |
| Heaters (plug-in/electric) | £100-300 | Heat generation is energy-intensive |
🔌 4. Use a Plug-in Energy Monitor
You can buy a plug-in electricity usage monitor (from around £10–£20) to measure the amount of energy an appliance uses.
Simply plug your device into the monitor, and it will show you:
- Wattage while in use
- Energy consumed over time
- Estimated running cost based on your tariff
This is especially useful for older appliances or devices without energy labels.
🧠 5. Look for ‘Always On’ Devices
Some electrical appliances never fully turn off meaning wasted energy quietly adds up:
- Routers/modems
- Smart speakers
- Set-top boxes
- Games consoles
- Microwaves (for the clock display!)
These devices draw phantom or standby power, which can account for up to 10% of your total energy use.
👉 Tip: Plug these into a power strip and turn them off at night, or use smart plugs to schedule usage.
💡 6. Swap or Upgrade Where Possible
If you’ve identified high-energy appliances, consider:
- Replacing old white goods with A-rated efficient models
- Line-drying clothes instead of using a tumble dryer
- Using eco modes on dishwashers and washing machines
- Boiling only the water you need in the kettle
Even small behaviour changes can make a big difference across a year.
📉 Don’t Let Appliances or Inefficient Heating Systems Drain Your Budget
The key to reducing your energy bills is knowing which appliances are using the most power and learning to use them wisely. With a few checks and changes, you can cut back on waste, reduce your carbon footprint, and save real money.
At Energy Advice Helpline, we want to help you save energy and money in your home. Whether this is through tips on using energy-saving appliances or installing energy-efficient heating systems.
If you live in a property that has a low EPC rating of E, F or G, you may qualify for Government grants such as ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme. These grants could help energy-inefficient households install insulation, heat pumps, and solar panels for free!
Click the button below to see if you’re eligible!
