Green Building Forum - Home Appliances Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:26:19 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23079#Comment_23079 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23079#Comment_23079 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:33:16 +0100 guyc
Anyway, it is a little off topic from actually building houses, but I was just going to continue the fridge talk here, rather than on Simon's thread.

Posted By: Ed Davies
I have a pretty ratty 20 year old fridge/freezer. Haven't replaced it yet mainly because I haven't decided in the context of future plans whether to have a single fridge/freezer or separate fridge and freezer. Anyway, measurements:

2005-11-06 12:05 to 2005-12-06 12:05 (720 hours) took 81.84 kWh. So that's an average of 114 W, 2.7 kWh/day, 996 kWh/year. That's £114 per year at my marginal electricity price. Gulp.

If the published figures on new fridges are even close to true then the payback for replacement on-grid would be five or six years. Off PV, payback would be many times over and immediate, obviously.


I just read a real world example of someone who metered their old fridge/freezer and found similar running costs. The replaced them with energy efficient separate models and the running costs were £13/year for the fridge and £18/year for the freezer.

I suspect my old freezer could be pretty inefficient, so I have just ordered myself an energy meter. Also had a quick search for freezers and again, like fridges, Miele seem to have high rated models that are well priced. Their A++ rated freezer, Miele F1365S claims 134kWh/year and retails for £360, but can often be found around £300, and I've actually just found it on sale somewhere for only £250.]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23090#Comment_23090 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23090#Comment_23090 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:48:00 +0100 ludite Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23093#Comment_23093 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23093#Comment_23093 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:23:44 +0100 guyc
And I just thought, there might be a further benefit from scrapping early. It'll drive the market of energy efficient models and incentivise manufacturers to make ever increasing improvements.]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23138#Comment_23138 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23138#Comment_23138 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:09:10 +0100 SimonH
Bear in mind the current energy ratings are steady state running cost - no door opening is factored in. Don't buy a large upright fridge as all cold air falls out when you open the door. One I'm considering is the hotpoint A+ with drawers - on the basis it's smaller than a big amercian fridge and probably uses less energy than an A++ once real world door opening is taken into account. Freezers might be best outside of the heated house in a garage where it's cooler most of the time.]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23172#Comment_23172 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23172#Comment_23172 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:28:03 +0100 LizM Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23194#Comment_23194 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23194#Comment_23194 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:41:08 +0100 mrswhitecat Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23240#Comment_23240 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23240#Comment_23240 Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:57:11 +0100 TheDoctor
why have a freezer full of stuff?

make stuff and freeze it - reduce shopping trips, and extend the season of seasonal produce]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23440#Comment_23440 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=23440#Comment_23440 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:26:11 +0100 krishna Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26425#Comment_26425 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26425#Comment_26425 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:42:22 +0100 guyc
So not huge financial savings there, but not bad if you weigh up the eco benefits as well.

I will move onto my ratty old freezer and see how that fairs.]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26450#Comment_26450 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26450#Comment_26450 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:44:16 +0100 mrswhitecat
The bit in the article that really interested me was that a 2005 Environment Agency study concluded that, in terms of environmental impact, there was no significant difference between reusables and disposables - mainly, it seemed, because of the way reusables were laundered (ie 90C boil wash, tumble try and iron = no no, 40C wash, line dry, skip the ironing = better).

The article also hinted at local authority grants towards reusables.

Best of luck for November.]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26499#Comment_26499 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26499#Comment_26499 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:30:38 +0100 ludite
At the end of the day, i think potty training asap is the only greenest way.]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26555#Comment_26555 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26555#Comment_26555 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:03:07 +0100 jamesingram http://mail.mtprog.com/CD_Layout/Day_1_21.06.06/1400-1545/ID122_Ruedenauer_final.pdf

here is a life cycle assessment , titled

"Accelerated replacement of refrigerators and freezers – does it
make sense?"

I think the quick answer is 'yes'
and maybe dont freecycle your old fridge , scrap it , stop people using it again, its rubbish]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26557#Comment_26557 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26557#Comment_26557 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:09:33 +0100 mrswhitecat
I've also heard some women claim they can 'tell' and can get their baby to assume the position in time. Can you imagine Katymac spending her days doing that!

In China the little boy babies go around with their willies hanging out. Extraordinary. Snowsuit but wedding tackle exposed to the elements. I thought it was a kudos thing - look, my child has a willy (which makes me / him better than you / her) but I was told it was to cut down on laundering (which frankly doesn't wash with me).]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26558#Comment_26558 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26558#Comment_26558 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:11:54 +0100 jamesingram
my 3 children have used washables , wash 40oC , line dry, used for 3 times so divid manifacturing polution by 3(in fact make that 6 they've been lent out 3 times)
2005 Environment Agency study is a load of rubbish ,everyone on my street line drys

Are they the same people that say a dishwashers use the same energy as bowel washing because people rinse all there stuff with a constant running hot tape,
what idiot would do that?]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26567#Comment_26567 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26567#Comment_26567 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:51:00 +0100 ludite Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26571#Comment_26571 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26571#Comment_26571 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:13:05 +0100 jamesingram 1/2 bowel
mind you if you hands are burning you might want to adjust your HW thermostate , sounds a bit painful]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26576#Comment_26576 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26576#Comment_26576 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:47:41 +0100 ludite Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26685#Comment_26685 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26685#Comment_26685 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:31:10 +0100 LizM Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26718#Comment_26718 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26718#Comment_26718 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:39:09 +0100 chocolatepixie
But nappies that are only wet and not soiled don't need sterilising anyway.

Also if they're dried outside in the sunshine, (when it IS sunny!!) the uv from the sun is a natural non-polluting steriliser]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26720#Comment_26720 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26720#Comment_26720 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:42:26 +0100 TheDoctor Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26738#Comment_26738 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26738#Comment_26738 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:52:15 +0100 CWatters Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26787#Comment_26787 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26787#Comment_26787 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:29:05 +0100 SimonH
It might sound anal, but if you work it out every 1W costs about £1 per year. So basically I've slashed 30% off my electric bill!

Simon.]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26822#Comment_26822 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26822#Comment_26822 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:56:06 +0100 jamesingram Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26877#Comment_26877 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26877#Comment_26877 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 11:00:37 +0100 Ed Davies Posted By: SimonHThe only things that aren't turned off at the plug now, are the burglar alarm and the phones.

Do you not have a fridge?

I discovered yesterday that my fridge/freezer draws 15 W when the compressor isn't running. It's 24.5 years old so that's 3.2 MWh which at my current marginal price of 11.51p/kWh would have cost £368 before it actually does any actual refrigeration. That wasn't on the price tag when I bought as far as I remember.

(And no, it's not the bulb staying on with the door shut - the bulb went ages ago but I've not got round to replacing it.)]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26883#Comment_26883 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26883#Comment_26883 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:09:39 +0100 guyc
Just moved the meter onto the freezer and things look less promising. It draws 14.5W when idle and 115W with the compressor running. I think that means 127kWh/year just on the idle.]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26901#Comment_26901 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26901#Comment_26901 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:55:06 +0100 krishna Posted By: mrswhitecatI've also heard some women claim they can 'tell' and can get their baby to assume the position in time. Can you imagine Katymac spending her days doing that!

Common in India. But then people don't tend to have carpets on the floor.

The idea is catching on with some. See http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26916#Comment_26916 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=26916#Comment_26916 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:51:42 +0100 CWatters Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=27092#Comment_27092 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=27092#Comment_27092 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:04:35 +0100 mrswhitecat
There's another thread started about clock work ... I haven't bothered monitoring all the devices around my home that are telling me the time. It must be costing me a fortune!]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=27658#Comment_27658 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=27658#Comment_27658 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:57:46 +0100 guyc
Found this for £270 delivered:
Model: AEG A40230GT
Annual Energy: 164 Kwh
Capacity: 223 Litres
Power Failure Safe Storage: 53 Hours]]> Home Appliances https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=27660#Comment_27660 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=1877&Focus=27660#Comment_27660 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:01:28 +0100 jamesingram sounds good could you whisper or post a link for it

Thanks Jim

i've added that link to the freezer LCA again , its worth a look
CommentAuthorjamesingram CommentTimeJul 10th 2008 edited
http://mail.mtprog.com/CD_Layout/Day_1_21.06.06/1400-1545/ID122_Ruedenauer_final.pdf

here is a life cycle assessment , titled

"Accelerated replacement of refrigerators and freezers – does it
make sense?"

I think the quick answer is 'yes'
and maybe dont freecycle your old fridge , scrap it , stop people using it again, its rubbish]]>