MSE News: Consumers warned over energy hikes

Fred_Bear_2

MillicentBystander wrote: »

I get what you are saying, I really do. But at what cost has this saving come? Obviously if the appliance no longer worked then it's a no brainer but have you replaced working (inefficient) appliances for new (efficient) appliances?

Thanks Millicent, this is a very good question. Over these past 7 years I have replaced appliances for 3 different reasons:

1. Because they are broken and not worth repairing: Washing machine, dishwasher.
2. Working ok but using a lot of energy:
10 year old Whirlpool freezer using 675kWh/annum replaced by same sized Hotpoint using 288kWh. (Old freezer donated to second hand shop.)
Central heating pump. (Old pump given to friend.)
40watt fluorescent tube (actually using 85watts!) replaced by two CFLs.
3. All the other items are upgrades: eg: Old second hand TV replaced by modern digital LED TV. Computers and monitors updated.

When choosing replacements I always look for the most efficient models and these are normally good in other ways too.

MillicentBystander

But that's what I am (sort of) getting at. If you simply replace a perfectly working item for a more efficient one you really need to factor in how long the saving on fuel will take to pay back your outlay. Even though the freezer would appear to be 'saving' you £40/year on your leccy bill, how much did it cost you to buy, given that your existing one was working? for instance, if it was, say, £400, you could say it will be 10 years before it's actually saved you any money at all!*

*Obviously complicated by any increases in costs of fuel over that period plus the investment interest lost on the £400 that you spend.

Fred_Bear_2

I understand the point you are making. In 7 years I have only replaced three items just to save energy. In the case of the freezer, it cost £314 in 2008. On today's prices it saves £52 per year and I am losing £9 in interest (assuming 3%). So that gives a saving of £43 per year and a 'payback' of less than 7 years - maybe sooner if energy prices continue to rise (that's what I assumed in 2008). Whether that is a good investment or not is a matter of opinion. Most of the other items I replaced for other reasons.