Date: 13/05/2008
Our advisers at the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre, Janine Wood and Gillian Wright, have been taking a close look at the latest generation of energy efficient fridges and freezers.
Old (10+years) fridges still in use in the UK: 11.7 million
A+ technology uses half the electricity of a 10 year old model
Source: www.t2c.org.uk (external website**)
As electricity prices soar, they joined energy officers from around the country in a full day workshop, to explore new technology that can more than halve the cost of cooling food and drink for many of their local customers, still using very old appliances. The workshop was organised by the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) in collaboration with Severn Wye Energy Agency (SWEA).
There are an estimated 11.7 million ageing fridges and freezers, still in use in homes around the country.
A packed programme, presented by technical experts, compared the environmental performance of A+ rated fridges with appliances that are 10 or many more years old. It also provided very practical information on when to change, how to dispose of the old model, how to choose and how to use appliances most effectively.
The Energy Saving Trust was on hand to explain how A+ rated models earned the Energy Saving Recommended label.
The event took place at the Miele Experience Centre in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and many of the leading brands were represented along with energy suppliers and retailers.
Commenting on the task ahead, Kaye Welfare, Assistant Director of SWEA, who chaired the workshop, said: "We have our work cut out for us. A recent survey of Europe and Scandinavia, presented to us at the seminar, showed that we in the UK are still the least likely to take energy efficiency into account when purchasing a major domestic appliance."
The workshop is just one part of AMDEA's Time to Change campaign, which has published a calculator at www.t2c.org.uk (external website**), which allows the public to check out their savings by keying in the age of the old fridge or freezer they are currently running.
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre provides free, impartial advice to the public on how to cut energy waste in local homes.
Just call FREE on 0800 512 012.
For further information: contact Dee Fernandes, or Philippa Burton, on 020 7722 9034, at the AMDEA Press Office, or email: amdeapress@bfipr.co.uk
**Please note: High Peak Borough Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.