The SMART technology items that save you the most money
The past decade has seen a rise in high-tech appliances, with over 15 million homes* using SMART technology. And according to a recent study, over half of Brits (59%) think it is important to have appliances fitted with the latest technology in their home.
The benefits of SMART technology are huge and vary from remote switch-on, to voice controlled food ordering, to saving money on your bills. The research by luxury kitchen manufacturer, Kutchenhaus and Dax McLean of energy saving experts Heatable has looked at the energy Brits can save from these newer products to see how valuable they are in our homes.
Dishwasher - £300
SMART dishwashers use the most efficient cycle and contain sensors to work out how much water is needed to clean the dishes. Whilst a conventional dishwasher can use around 10 gallons of water per load, SMART energy saving models cut this down to three gallons, saving over 2,500 gallons each year. Using the most efficient SMART models will save an estimated £300 over a period of a few years compared to old less efficient ones.
Dax comments that when it comes to SMART dishwashers, they can be much more energy efficient than traditional units, and using one compared to the most inefficient dishwashers can save up to £300 on your bill.
Fridge freezer - £113
Newer fridges have improved insulation and often allow you to see inside without physically opening it. Both of these help it stay at optimal temperature and can save up to £113 a year compared to C grade fridge-freezers that need to be opened to check their contents.
Ovens - £25
Taking less time to heat and better temperature control than conventional ovens, SMART ovens have stronger glass and allow you to see how your food is cooking from a camera which means you don’t need to open the door to check. These improvements can result in a saving of up to £25 per year.
Boiling water tap - £597
It is estimated around a fifth of energy consumed in households is through hot water, which makes boiling water taps a great investment. They use up to 50% less energy than water dispensed using the boiler, and often remove the need for a kettle. More money can be saved compared to a kettle which is estimated to cost 2.5p per boil whereas a boiling water tap can cost as little as 3p per day – a potential saving of £597 a year.
Dax highlights that while boiling hot water taps may save money, not all models reach boiling point, so do not provide the same performance as kettles, which is something to look out for when purchasing one.
Microwave - £42
SMART microwaves have many efficient settings including a barcode scanner to work out exactly how long food needs to cook. They even allow the time to be extended whilst cooking from your sofa, saving the energy from constantly being switched on and off. SMART microwaves have power saving modes which work out patterns of when they are used to turn themselves off fully when not needed, saving an estimated £3.50 on energy bills every month.
Dax McLean of Heatable commented: “Smart appliances such as dishwashers and fridge freezers save much more than previous appliances. Not just because they are automated and help to conserve energy, but because they also allow you to easily track and monitor your energy usage over time. This enables people to see where they can make changes, whether it’s using less electricity or water, in turn helping to reduce your home's environmental impact.”
Jake Colwill, Sales and Operations Manager at Kutchenhaus commented: “It is no surprise to see so many households in the UK using SMART technology. The convenience, functionality and money savings make high-tech appliances very desirable and is a market that we’re seeing constant growth in.
“Over the next few years, we can expect even more of these appliances in all areas of the house, and we hope that our research has informed people of what they should be looking to purchase first to maximise the money they can save on their future bills.”
