Oven energy makeover to slash £1.1bn from Brits’ bills
Nine out of ten support regulations to reduce appliances’ energy waste
By George Smeeton
info@eciu.netShare
UK energy bill payers are set to save £1.1bn over the next 15 years thanks to more efficient ovens and hobs, according to analysis of forthcoming new regulations.
The rules, which are due to start entering into force on 20th February 2015, will oblige manufacturers to cut energy wasted during cooking by, for example, improving insulation and re-designing doors to ensure that less heat is lost.
New ComRes research, commissioned by the National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) and the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, shows that nine out of ten (87%) British people support regulations to increase the energy efficiency of domestic appliances such as ovens and fridges.
The new standards for ovens and hobs are part of the EU Ecodesign Directive. Analysis carried out by the New Economics Foundation (nef) found that the regulations will cut an estimated £1.1bn from Britons’ energy bills over the course of next fifteen years, out to 2030. The annual savings will increase year on year as people replace old ovens and hobs with new more efficient models, and will reach £174m per year in 2030. By that point, the annual reduction in carbon emissions will be the equivalent of more than a million barrels of oil being burned.
Commenting on the new analysis and polling research, Marylyn Haines Evans, Public Affairs Chair of the National Federation of Women's Institutes, said:
“Whether you’re turning your hand to a Victoria sponge or a Sunday roast it’s reassuring to know that ovens and hobs are becoming more energy efficient, insulating you better from volatile energy prices while also cutting carbon emissions.
"Nobody likes to waste energy, and in fact the survey shows that people want regulations that cut down on waste.
“Knowing what we do about the risks that climate change presents to the UK, it’s clear that better designed appliances are a boon both for householders now and for the world that our children will inhabit.”
Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit said: “The level of support for regulations that cut energy waste is really remarkable – they’re even more popular than renewable energy, which we know is supported by around 80% of Britons.
“I think this sends a clear message to political parties: people, especially the elderly, really appreciate regulations that save energy, cut bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Michelin star-winning chef Tom Aikens said:
“Wasting energy is as bad as wasting food. Using it efficiently in your kitchen is a double win, cutting your bills and carbon emissions. Energy isn’t infinite so we shouldn’t abuse it.”
The Comres poll also found that:
- About two-thirds (64%) of people believe that too much electricity and gas is wasted on household appliances
- About the same number (63%) think that regulations to improve the energy efficiency of household appliances will bring down their energy bills.
- The majority (59%) said they would be happy to pay a bit more for an energy efficient appliance.
These developments follow research published late last year by the Energy Saving Trust showing that the UK has been using less energy even as the economy grows, a trend partly driven by energy efficiency regulations on household devices.
ComRes interviewed 2,003 GB adults online between 6th and 8th February 2015. Data were weighted to be representative of all GB adults aged 18+.
The EU Ecodesign Directive rules for ovens and hobs apply to both gas and electric appliances and will be phased in over a number of years. For ovens for example no new appliances with an efficiency rating below ‘A’ will be allowed on to the market after 2019.