READ BETWEEN THE LABELS
A little knowledge.
A clearer choice.
Understand the source, apply your own tariff and see what the cost comparison includes.
PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS
Labels
Read the regime, units and programme basis.
01EU ENERGY LABELSWhat does “kWh per 100 cycles” mean?Convert a documented washing-machine label into cost per cycle and annual laundry cost, and understand the small rounding difference in its product sheet.Read the guide02US ENERGYGUIDEUS EnergyGuide running costs: use annual kWh and your local rateRead a US EnergyGuide estimate, reprice a documented refrigerator figure in dollars, and keep washer, hot-water and household-bill boundaries clear.Read the guide03ENERGY RATINGSA to G energy ratings: compare the figure as well as the letterUnderstand what a rescaled energy class can tell you, why old plus ratings do not translate directly, and how to compare running costs.Read the guide04UK ENERGY LABELSUK appliance energy labels: Great Britain and Northern IrelandCheck the label regime, model information and consumption units before applying a UK electricity tariff, especially for tumble dryers.Read the guide05FRIDGE ENERGY LABELSReading a fridge or freezer energy labelFind annual kWh, check chilled and frozen storage capacity, and turn a fridge label into an estimate using your own electricity tariff.Read the guide06DISHWASHER LABELSDishwasher energy labels: kWh, water and cycle timeRead dishwasher kWh per 100 eco cycles, litres per cycle, place settings and duration using a documented label, then estimate running cost.Read the guide07TUMBLE-DRYER LABELSThe EU tumble-dryer label introduced in 2025Use energy per 100 eco drying cycles on the EU A–G label, distinguish older annual figures, and check the separate UK position.Read the guide08WASHER-DRYER LABELSWasher-dryer labels: washing only versus a complete cycleChoose the correct side of a combined washer-dryer label and avoid double-counting washing energy when estimating wash-and-dry costs.Read the guide09EU PRODUCT INFORMATIONEPREL lookup: check an appliance model and energy labelUse an EU label QR code or EPREL model search to find product information, verify energy units and build a compatible appliance comparison.Read the guide10EU LABELSEU air-conditioner energy labels: SEER, SCOP and kWhRead EU air-conditioner cooling and heating information, distinguish SEER and SCOP from consumption, and price the correct annual or hourly energy figure.Read the guide
PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS
Energy basics
Find the tariff and understand the calculation inputs.
01ENERGY BASICSkW and kWh: the difference that mattersUnderstand power, energy and running costs, and choose the right figure for an appliance cost calculation.Read the guide02ELECTRICITY TARIFFSElectricity price per kWh: which bill rate to useFind your electricity unit rate, combine applicable supply and delivery charges, and separate fixed fees from appliance running costs.Read the guide03PRICE INPUTSPence, cents and price per kWh: avoiding a 100-fold errorConvert tariff prices into pounds, dollars or euros per kWh, keep consumption units separate, and check a result with simple arithmetic.Read the guide04MEASUREMENTHow to measure appliance electricity use in kWhCapture appliance kWh, completed cycles and conditions in a device-local journal or printable record, then estimate costs without overstating a short sample.Read the guide05TIME-OF-USE TARIFFSTime-of-use appliance costs: energy shares and tariff break-evenPrice energy across tariff windows, include fixed charges in a whole-home comparison, and calculate the off-peak share needed for an illustrative plan to win.Read the guide06ELECTRICITY COSTHow to calculate electricity cost from watts and hoursConvert appliance input watts and use time into kWh and electricity cost, with worked examples and a measured-energy option for cycling appliances.Read the guide07HOUSEHOLD ENERGYWhich appliances add most to your electricity bill?Build a household appliance-cost ranking from energy and use frequency, rather than assuming the highest wattage always creates the largest bill.Read the guide08US RUNNING COSTSUS appliance running costs: from EnergyGuide to a household decisionFollow a US workflow for annual kWh, dollars per kWh, washer energy boundaries, household totals, tariff comparison and replacement payback.Read the guide09UK & EU RUNNING COSTSUK and EU appliance running costs: label, programme and tariffFollow a GBP or EUR workflow using the correct GB, NI or EU label, annual and cycle units, household routines and purchase or replacement comparisons.Read the guide10EU RUNNING COSTSEU appliance running costs: energy labels, tariffs and buying costsUse an EU product sheet and your own electricity tariff to price appliance energy, compare two documented 9 kg dryers and test purchase-price payback.Read the guide
PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS
Fridges & freezers
Understand annual consumption, capacity and replacement.
01FRIDGE RUNNING COSTSHow much does a fridge cost per day or per month?Convert annual fridge consumption into daily and monthly cost averages, distinguish averages from measurements, and avoid rated-watt shortcuts.Read the guide02FRIDGE REPLACEMENTReplacing an old fridge: estimate savings against keeping itUse a documented replacement energy figure, an explicit current-fridge baseline and net upfront costs to compare keeping with replacing.Read the guide03FRIDGE AND FREEZER CHOICESComparing fridge and freezer sizes without losing sight of running costCompare chilled and frozen capacity, annual household energy and purchase prices, rather than choosing by efficiency class alone.Read the guide
PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS
Laundry
Price a stated wash or drying cycle and compare options.
01WASHING COSTSWashing-machine electricity cost per loadCalculate a documented 9 kg eco wash at your electricity price, compare weekly routines and keep water, other programmes and drying tasks separate.Read the guide02PROGRAMME CHOICESWhy eco programmes take longer but can use less electricityUnderstand why cycle duration does not determine electricity cost, compare complete-programme kWh, and calculate a mixed weekly routine.Read the guide03DRYER COST COMPARISONSHeat-pump dryer running costs and purchase-price paybackPrice two documented 9 kg heat-pump dryers, compare their dated manufacturer prices and see when a small electricity saving cannot recover a higher purchase cost.Read the guide04PUBLISHED MEASUREMENTSMeasured dryer costs: a US household case studyExplore a published household dryer measurement, calculate electricity costs and replacement payback, and keep observed energy separate from annual projections.Read the guide
PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS
Dishwashers
Apply your routine without mixing electricity and water costs.
PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS
Buying decisions
Compare purchase cost, electricity savings and payback.
01APPLIANCE COMPARISONSComparing two appliances on compatible electricity inputsNormalize annual, per-cycle and per-100-cycle figures, apply one household routine, and separate running-cost savings from purchase cost.Read the guide02REPLACEMENT PAYBACKReplacement payback: what the calculation means and leaves outCalculate simple electricity-savings payback, include confirmed replacement costs, and distinguish a payback period from a purchase recommendation.Read the guide03COST OF OWNERSHIPAppliance purchase price and electricity cost over timeCompare appliance purchase prices and electricity over five or ten years, calculate a break-even tariff, and keep other ownership costs explicit.Read the guide
PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS
Heating
Understand input power, thermostats and seasonal heater costs.
01HEATER COSTSHow much does a 1500 W electric heater cost to run?Calculate a 1500 W heater’s hourly, daily and seasonal electricity costs using your tariff, with a clear distinction between full-power and thermostat-controlled use.Read the guide02HEATER COMPARISONOil-filled radiator vs fan heater: which costs less to run?Compare oil-filled and fan heaters using equal electrical input, heating conditions and measured energy, without treating retained warmth as free electricity.Read the guide
PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS
Humidity
Price dehumidifier use and compare removal under suitable conditions.
01DEHUMIDIFIER COSTSHow much does a dehumidifier cost to run for 24 hours?Work out a dehumidifier’s 24-hour electricity cost and distinguish continuous full-input estimates from measured use with humidistat cycling.Read the guide02DEHUMIDIFIER COMPARISONCompressor vs desiccant dehumidifiers: compare running costsCompare dehumidifier energy costs in the conditions where you will use it, and understand why watts, water removal and litres per kWh answer different questions.Read the guide
PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS
Cooling
Separate cooling capacity from electricity input and estimate seasonal use.
01AIR-CONDITIONER COSTSPortable and window AC running costs: per hour and monthEstimate portable or window air-conditioner electricity costs from input watts or measured energy, using your own daily hours, cooling days and tariff.Read the guide02COOLING COMPARISONFan vs air conditioner: running cost and what each doesCompare illustrative fan and air-conditioner electricity costs while separating airflow for comfort from the energy needed to remove heat from a room.Read the guide03AC ENERGY BASICSBTU/h vs watts: which AC figure belongs in a cost calculator?Separate air-conditioner cooling capacity, electrical input, efficiency metrics and accumulated kWh before estimating the electricity bill.Read the guide
PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS
Cooking
Compare the energy for the same meal, including batches and preheating.
01COOKING COSTSAir fryer vs electric oven: compare cost for the same mealCompare air-fryer and oven electricity for equal portions, including preheating and multiple batches, with a measured whole-meal option and worked example.Read the guide02MICROWAVE COSTSMicrowave running cost: use input watts, not cooking wattsFind the electrical consumption figure for microwave costs, distinguish it from advertised cooking output, and calculate a short session without overstating precision.Read the guide