In the last two years, people have learned to think more about the appliances they buy for their homes. They are replacing old washing machines, fridges and lighting with more efficient ones, but they often don’t realise that the biggest energy guzzlers need to be found elsewhere. They are the surprisingly outdated circulators that are safely hidden in the bowels of our homes. This is shown by the ranking of the ten most energy-wasting appliances in European homes, where obsolete circulators came out on top. They even overtook lighting, fridges, freezers, washing machines and electric cookers. Replacing older pump models can typically save around 80% of electricity.
“I was not surprised to see that circulation pumps topped the list of the top ten most energy-efficient appliances. We know from experience that in the Czech Republic, about every second building is equipped with an old type of circulator, i.e. a pump that is over fifteen years old. Most people, in terms of achieving savings, first pay attention to the devices that are in plain sight and use them consciously every day. Such as the washing machine, refrigerator, dishwasher, television, etc. Pumps run 24/7 and are in places where they are not given attention. Older pumps are still equipped with the so-called three-speed speed setting, and these devices are characterised by their high power consumption. Today’s modern pumps can use the Dynamic Adapt Plus function to regulate their speed according to the actual needs of the heating system. This automatic regulation can then reduce our electricity bills by up to 80%,” explains Jan Cidlinský, Managing Director of Wilo Czech Republic.
In view of the constantly rising electricity prices, the topic of energy consumption is becoming increasingly topical not only for environmental but also for economic reasons. Here is the complete ranking of the 10 biggest energy guzzlers:
1st place: old circulators
These unassuming components, responsible for circulating the heating water, can contribute significantly to the overall electricity consumption of a heating system. The problem with many of these pumps is their continuous operation, whether heat is needed or not. Older models are particularly inefficient and can consume 550 to 800 kWh per year. But technology has advanced. Modern high-efficiency pumps are able to adapt their performance to the actual needs. This significantly reduces energy consumption.
2nd place: Electric cooker
Depending on the use and model, an electric cooker consumes between 200 and 700 kWh per year. Ceramic and induction cookers are often compared in terms of energy consumption. While ceramic cookers heat using electric heating elements under the ceramic hob, induction cookers heat directly the bottom of the pot using electromagnetic waves. This generally makes induction cookers more energy efficient and faster than ceramic ones. Consumption can be reduced, for example, by brief preheating, using residual heat or cooking with a lid.
3rd place: freezer
It’s not cheap to keep food below freezing all the time. The compressor has to run at high power, especially if the freezer is opened frequently or if warm foods are frozen. Depending on the model and size, consumption ranges between 150 and 500 kWh per year. But there are modern technologies that, for example, prevent ice from forming on the inside walls of the freezer. Without ice build-up, energy consumption remains consistently low because the freezer can run more efficiently.
4th place: refrigerators
While modern refrigerators are significantly more energy efficient thanks to modern technology, they still need to run continuously. This leads to significant energy consumption. Depending on the size and specific model, this can range between 100 and 400 kWh per year. Consumption can be minimised by avoiding frequent and prolonged door openings, storing food correctly, not overfilling and setting the optimum temperature – usually between 5 and 7 °C.
Rank 5: Lighting
Proper lighting plays an important role in our daily lives. Today’s market is dominated by LED bulbs, which not only last longer but are also more energy-efficient than conventional bulbs. Despite these advances, lighting in the average household still consumes around 1 kWh per day, which is approximately 10% of total electricity consumption. Dimmable luminaires, motion detectors or consistently turning off lights when lighting is not needed can reduce energy consumption even further.
6th place: clothes dryer
The tumble dryer has become a very popular appliance in our homes. It does a great and demanding job, so its high energy consumption probably comes as no surprise. How far technology has advanced is shown by heat pump dryers in particular, which efficiently use the heat from the waste air to support the drying process. But they can also consume between 2 and 4 kWh per drying depending on model and capacity. While a higher spin speed in a washing machine may reduce drying time, it should be taken into account that this may in turn increase the energy consumption of the washing machine. Careful selection of the appropriate drying programme and using the dryer at full load will help optimise energy consumption.
Rank 7: Dishwasher
The average wash cycle consumes between 1 and 1.5 kWh. However, technological advances have made modern dishwashers more efficient. They are equipped with sensor technology that adapts the wash cycle to the level of soiling on the dishes. Advanced drying systems then minimise energy consumption. Special eco programmes and full-load start-up also help to reduce energy consumption.
8th place: washing machine
The first electric washing machines came on the market in the early 20th century and have since undergone an impressive evolution. While earlier models were inefficient and water-intensive, modern washing machines are designed to save both water and energy. With automatic water and energy controls based on the actual amount of laundry, or special eco programmes that wash at lower temperatures, today’s models are significantly more efficient. Depending on the model and the washing programmes selected, the washing machine consumes between 0.5 and 2 kWh per wash cycle. Lower washing temperatures and full loads also reduce the amount of energy consumed.
9th place: Television
Although screens have gotten bigger and resolution has improved over time, they don’t consume more energy thanks to modern technology. From the simple black and white images of yesteryear to today’s 4K and 8K Ultra HD displays, picture quality has improved dramatically without increasing energy consumption. Meanwhile, many of the latest models, especially those with LED technology, are significantly more energy efficient than their predecessors. However, they can still consume between 0.05 and 0.2 kWh per hour. Thanks to energy-saving features and automatic switch-off, many current models can minimise consumption and thus reduce annual electricity costs.
10th place: WiFi router
In today’s world, where constant internet access has become a necessity, it’s perhaps surprising that this unassuming device came in at number 10 on the list. This small appliance that works 24/7 in many homes uses more electricity than you might expect. When Wi-Fi connectivity started in the 1990s, it was still modest. But modern routers are not only significantly more powerful, but also equipped with advanced technologies that optimize data traffic and keep our connections stable. However, using these high-tech features comes with increased power consumption. A standard router requires an average of 0.12 to 0.24 kWh per day. However, even this seemingly low figure is noticeable in the annual result. However, there are also models with energy saving modes for idle times. Also, switching off at night will help to reduce the total annual consumption.
