Householders Waste €35m of energy on "Standby"

Irish consumers are wasting up to €35 million worth of energy annually by leaving appliances on standby when not in use.

TVs, DVD players, stereos, computers and microwaves are consuming vast amounts of energy when they are not fully turned-off - and leaving them on is costing the average household up to €40 annually.

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has revealed that appliances left on standby are wasting 30 watts of electricity every hour - which, over a year, equates to the same amount of energy as 220 loads in the washing machine.

Households can also save cash by cutting down their use of appliances. The cost of operating appliances can vary from €116 a year for a dishwasher, to €90 for a fridge freezer. Hairdryers can cost around €18 a year, while a hair straightener sets a household back around €30 a year.
A blender costs an average of €9 a year to run, while a carving knife costs around €3.20 a year to operate if used for one hour every month.

Research conducted by consumer website - saveafewbob.ie - found that the cost of monthly gas and electricity bills is a major concern among Irish consumers, especially those with young families. Managing director of saveafewbob.ie, Niall McHenry said - "I have no doubt that consumers could save hundreds of euro each year on their electricity bills and also cut back significantly on their gas bills."

A spokesman for the ESB said it is impossible to estimate how much the average household spends on the use of appliances each year, but added that the average electricity bill has dropped by €15 over the last 12 months to €140.

An SEI spokesman said - "When buying appliances, look for the energy label and choose the most efficient one which suits your needs and your budget - and then make sure you use it efficiently."
SEI estimates that buying energy efficient appliances could save households up to €100 a year. It said simple measures such as switching-off lights when you’re not in the room, turning the thermostat down by one degree and closing doors and windows to prevent heat loss, could mean big savings for householders.

Figures from SEI show that, over the past 20 years, there has been an increase of more than 1,200% in the number of homes with a microwave, while there has been an increase of 559% in the number of homes with a dishwasher. Also the number of homes with two or more TVs has risen by 248%.

Irish householders use 27% more energy per dwelling than Britain and we stand at 36% over the EU average.

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