Reducing energy costs of washing machines & other appliances

Most people are concerned about how much energy their domestic appliances use. Energy efficiency labels for washing machines and other appliances were introduced to encourage us to buy the ones that use the least energy, and to shun the ones that used the most. Appliance manufacturers quickly realised they had to produce more energy efficient appliances because their competition would, which has resulted in most washing machines being in the same energy rating band of A or A+ and there seems to be little significant difference between most of them these days.

The largest potential savings for many people these days are likely to come by switching energy suppliers from an uncompetitive one to a competitive supplier, which can save hundreds of pounds a year. Even swapping from a 10 year old washing machine to an A+ rated one is likely to save less money than spending 10 minutes on a web site switching over to a much cheaper energy supplier - especially if you haven't done so before, or for a year or more.

When you think about it how would we expect any washing machine to use significantly less electricity than a rivals if they are the same spec? If you compare washers with the same sized drums and the same spin speeds how can one washing machine use significantly less than another? They each have to take in roughly the same amount of water and heat it up to exactly the same temperature and they each use virtually the same type of motor to turn the drum back and forth for a similar amount of time. All their components are equally similar in design and energy consumption.

A more substantial saving in energy costs can be found by simply paying less for the energy

People who switched with Which? save an average of £263* per year (This figure is an average and many customers actually saved a lot more)

Persuading people to switch energy suppliers is a highly competitive business. Unfortunately, (as in the mobile phone market) energy companies are creating a ridiculous amount of price plans, which are complex and confusing. My own energy supplier currently has 27 different price tariffs. My experience is that once you move over to a better deal they continue to create even better deals to entice new customers but don't tell you about them (just like banks do with our savings accounts), which may explain why they end up with such a ridiculous amount of tariffs. Of course anyone who's never switched, or rarely switches will find their energy supplier has created dozens of cheaper tariffs for new customers without telling them and kept them paying potentially hundreds of pounds extra each year indefinitely.

Presumably many people just don't want to go to the hassle of switching, yet the energy comparison services really do make it pretty simple to do and a matter of just answering a few drop down questions after which they do all the switching for us. Gone are the days (when switching first became possible) when many energy supply companies seemed to deliberately make it difficult and protracted to switch. They've all got used to the idea now and swap customers all the time.

Why use Which? Switch?

There are many switch companies, and it's a highly competitive market with the biggest switch companies spending millions on advertising. But Switch with Which? is different because they are a not for profit registered charity dedicated to fighting for us the consumer..

Which? Switch is a not-for-profit making service

The prime motivation for Which? Switch is to aid consumers in making the best choice. There are many "switch" companies but Which? are actually a registered charity set up to fight for consumer issues and rights. They are a not-for-profit online energy switching service and Which? are highly respected. I can't think of a better company to trust. They even show you the cheapest energy supplier if they don't have any switch relationship with them.

Quote from Which? Switch

"Which? launched the service in 2005 to provide consumers with a transparent and impartial view of all current gas and electricity tariff options.

People who switched with Which? Switch save an average of £263* p.a. (This figure is an average and many customers actually saved a lot more)

 

* Average annual savings per household that switched via the Which? Switch service between 1st January 2009 and 21st October 2009"

Which? Switch has switching arrangements in place with all the major energy suppliers so they can switch energy tariffs quickly and smoothly. Their online switching service also shows tariffs from smaller more specialist suppliers and caters for customers who might also be interested in green energy, loyalty schemes or the customer service ratings of energy suppliers.

Tips for switching to the best energy tariff:

• If you have both gas and electricity then it is often cheaper to switch to a ‘dual fuel’ tariff rather than two separate tariffs.
• Monthly Direct Debit attracts the highest discounts- so just changing the way you pay can also help you save.
• If you have access to the internet, consider an ‘online tariff’ – this means you enter your own meter readings online every quarter. As you ‘self service’, energy suppliers reward you with better discounts.
• Keep an eye out for additional benefits that your new supplier may offer- for example Nectar loyalty points and free boiler servicing.
• And finally, always check the Terms and Conditions before switching to a new tariff, especially for any penalties you may incur if you leave your new supplier before a set period of time. Which? Switch will always highlight such penalties to you, outside of the suppliers T&Cs.

More on next column...