The kitchen is one of the most energy-consuming areas in your home, and your kitchen appliances are one of the primary culprits. Household appliances like ovens, microwaves, kettles, and fridges use a lot of electricity, which can contribute to higher energy bills. It’s important to know how much energy your appliances use and how to reduce the amount of energy you use in your kitchen to save on your energy bill.

How Many Watts Does an Electric Oven Use?

In terms of energy consumption, electric ovens are one of the most energy-hungry appliances in your kitchen.

An electric oven typically uses between 2,000 and 5,000 watts, depending on the temperature and cooking time. If you use your oven for an hour every day, it could add up to around 150 kWh per year.

This would cost you around £30 to £75 per year, depending on your energy supplier and the cost per kWh.

How Many Watts Does a Microwave Use?

Microwaves are more energy-efficient than ovens, using around 40% less energy when cooking food. However, they still use a significant amount of energy, particularly if you use them frequently.

On average, a microwave uses between 800 and 1,200 watts per hour, which could add up to around 60 kWh per year if used for an hour every day. This would cost you around £12 to £18 per year, depending on your energy supplier and the cost per kWh.

How Many Watts Does a Kettle Use?

Kettles are another common household appliance that can use a lot of energy.

A kettle typically uses between 2,000 and 3,000 watts, depending on the model and how much water you’re boiling. If you boil a kettle three times a day, it could add up to around 50 kWh per year, costing you around £10 to £15 per year.

How Many Watts Do Fridges & Freezers Use?

Fridges and freezers are also significant energy consumers in your kitchen. The average household fridge is replaced every ten years, and modern fridges are much more energy-efficient than older models.

An average-sized fridge now uses around 150 kWh per year, while a freezer uses around 250 kWh per year. If you have an older fridge or freezer, it’s worth considering replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient model.

An example F-rated 70/30 287-litre fridge freezer uses 275 kWh per year, making its annual running costs £93.50.

While an example E-rated 70/30 267-litre fridge freezer uses 232 kWh a year, resulting in running costs of £78.88

Upgrade to an example D-rated 70/30 294-litre fridge freezer and its usage is 156 kWh a year, costing just £53.04 to run annually.

How Many Watts Do Washing Machines Use?

Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14% of a typical energy bill. They are energy-intensive household appliances because of the energy required to heat the water they utilise.

In order to save water, try to avoid doing half loads of laundry and actively choose to wash your garments at a lower temperature. The same advice goes for your dishwasher: use the Eco setting if it has one and try to wait until it’s full to set it off. More advice may be found on our blog.

Washing machines typically have a wattage range of 500 to 2,000 watts, depending on the machine’s size, load capacity, and spin speed. Front-loading washing machines tend to be more energy-efficient than top-loading washing machines, and they usually have a lower wattage.

Assuming an average wattage of 1,000 watts for a washing machine and a 1-hour wash cycle, the energy usage would be 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) per load. If the electricity rate is £0.13 per kWh, the cost of running a washing machine for one cycle would be £0.13.

Dishwashers typically have a wattage range of 1,200 to 2,400 watts, depending on the machine’s size, capacity, and energy efficiency rating. Energy-efficient dishwashers tend to have a lower wattage.

Assuming an average wattage of 1,500 watts for a dishwasher and a 1-hour wash cycle, the energy usage would be 1.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per load. If the electricity rate is £0.13 per kWh, the cost of running a dishwasher for one cycle would be £0.195.

It’s worth noting that newer washing machines and dishwashers with higher energy efficiency ratings tend to use less energy and can save on electricity costs over time.

How much energy does an Electric Stove use?

The energy usage and cost of an electric stove depend on several factors, such as the stove’s wattage, the duration of use, and the local electricity rate.

Generally, electric stoves have a wattage range of 1,000 to 3,000 watts per burner, and the total wattage of the stove will depend on the number of burners it has. For example, a four-burner electric stove with each burner using 1,500 watts would have a total wattage of 6,000 watts.

To calculate the energy usage of the electric stove, you need to multiply the total wattage by the number of hours used. For instance, if the stove is used for two hours and has a total wattage of 6,000 watts, the energy usage would be 12,000 watt-hours or 12 kilowatt-hours (kWh).

The cost of using an electric stove also depends on the local electricity rate. In the United States, the average electricity rate is around £0.13 per kWh. Therefore, if the stove uses 12 kWh per day, the cost would be around £1.56 per day, assuming an electricity rate of £0.13 per kWh.

What are some ways to save energy and reduce your energy bill through appliances in your kitchen?

There are several ways to save energy and reduce your energy bill through appliances in your kitchen:

1. Use energy-efficient appliances: Look for appliances with an Energy Star label, which means they meet energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Energy-efficient appliances can save up to 30% on energy costs.
2. Optimize your refrigerator and freezer settings: Keep your fridge and freezer at the recommended temperatures to ensure they operate efficiently. Also, ensure that the doors are properly sealed, and the coils are clean for optimal performance.
3. Use your oven and stovetop efficiently: When cooking on a stovetop, use the right-sized burner for your pots and pans, and use lids to retain heat. When using your oven, avoid opening it unnecessarily, and switch it off 5-10 minutes before the food is ready.
4. Choose smaller appliances for small tasks: Use a toaster oven, microwave, or slow cooker for small cooking tasks instead of using a full-sized oven or stove. These smaller appliances use less energy and can save you money.
5. Use your dishwasher efficiently: Run your dishwasher only when it’s full, and use the energy-saving or eco-mode settings. Also, skip the heated dry cycle, and let your dishes air dry.
6. Use energy-efficient lighting: Install energy-efficient LED bulbs in your kitchen, which use less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs.

You can also calculate your current electricity or gas consumption through these online tools:

Calculate your water bill here.

Calculate your Gas bill here.

Calculate your Electricity bill here. 

What are some energy efficient appliances for your kitchen?

1. A+++ rated fridge freezer: An A+++ rated fridge freezer is the most energy-efficient model and costs around £350-£800.
2. Induction hob: An induction hob is highly energy-efficient, and prices start from around £200 for a basic model, but can go up to £1000 for a high-end one.
3. Energy-efficient dishwasher: An energy-efficient dishwasher uses less water and energy than traditional models, and prices start at around £250, but can go up to £800 for high-end models.
4. Energy-saving oven: An energy-saving oven uses less energy than traditional models and can cost around £300-£800.
5. Smart energy-efficient kettle: A smart energy-efficient kettle is highly energy-efficient and can cost between £50-£100.