Do your bit for the environment and switch to energy-efficient appliances

Concerned about the environment? Want to reduce your carbon footprint? Switch to modern, energy-efficient appliances and you can make a bigger difference than you think.

Our range of energy-saving appliances uses less electricity and cuts water wastage, thereby lowering your carbon emissions (and costs) and reducing your impact on the environment.

Sound too easy? According to the Energy Savings Trust, if every UK household upgraded to an A+ or AA+ fridge-freezer we would save the equivalent of 2 power stations of electricity every year.

Read on for tips on choosing the most energy-efficient appliances and simple steps you can take to make your life that little bit greener.

Hang Up Your Washing Gloves

Dishwashers consume much less water than washing by hand - an average of 15 litres compared to as much as 150 litres. Another great excuse for investing in a dishwasher.
  
Look for:
  

• A-ratings for energy efficiency - these machines also tend to use the least amount of water
• A size that best fits your lifestyle so you fill up the machine - a full load uses less water than two half loads
• Low water consumption
•  A machine that automatically uses less water when it detects a half load
• Fuzzy logic, quick wash or eco settings as these optimise water and energy use
    

Miele grabs the top spots in the Waterwise dishwasher ranks for water efficiency.

Bigger Drum, Bigger Savigns

A new washing machine uses about half the water and energy of the average 10-year-old machine with many of the most efficient ones using less than 50 litres of water per wash.
  
When shopping for a new washer, look for:
  

• A and A+ ratings for energy efficiency
• A large capacity so you can wash larger loads less often, saving time, detergent and energy
• Low water consumption - divide the water consumption by the number of kilos of clothing that the machine takes
• A machine that automatically uses less water when it detects a half loads
• Fuzzy logic, load sensor, half load flow meter, quick wash and eco features which can all help save time, water and energy

LG's steam washing machines save up to 35% of water and use up to 21% less energy than comparable machines.  

Cool Kid on the Block

Working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, fridges and freezers consume a huge amount of electricity each year.

That means that upgrading to a new fridge or freezer can dramatically cut your impact on the environment.

Look for:

•   A+ or A++ energy ratings- these save an additional 25% to 45% of the energy consumed by a standard A-rated model
•  Fridge freezers that cool the fridge and freezer compartments separately
     

What else can I do?

Making small changes in your daily habits really can have a positive impact and help preserve the environment.

Our tips:
  

• Turn your TVs, computers and gadgets off completely - standby mode accounts for about 8% of electricity consumed at home
• Don' t leave MP3 players or mobiles on charge unnecessarily
• Washing your clothes at 40°C uses a third less energy than washing at 60°C
•  Fill up your washing machine or dishwasher before turning it on  
• Get an integrated digital TV rather than having a separate set top box
•  Talk to one of our specially trained solar experts about whether solar panels could be suitable for you  

Additional Information

All white goods, that means dishwashers, washers, dryers, fridges and freezers, carry EU energy labels. This shows the appliance's rating as measured on a 7 point scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).