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We’re here to help through the cost-of-living crisis with tips and recommendations. This month, experts reveal everything you need to know about energy-efficient cooking

words CLARE FINNEY

recipes GOOD FOOD TEAM

A llof us were shocked when our fuel bills suddenly shot up earlier this year and, ever since, manufacturers of home appliances have been scrambling to assure us their hobs, ovens and microwaves are the most efficient on the market. Comparing appliances isn’t easy: the energy labels aren’t always obvious, and they don’t make much sense even when they are, unless you know what A and G stand for. Here, you’ll discover what those ratings actually mean and how a few other key investments can save you money in the long-run.

Understanding energy ratings

A+++ is the most efficient in its class, and the letters run through to G, which is the least efficient. Look at the power rating, too, says Brian Horne, senior insight and analytics consultant at the Energy Saving Trust. “It is possible to estimate how much energy each appliance will use by multiplying the appliance’s power rating in kW by the time you leave the appliance on for in hours. This information should be on the label or any manual that came with your appliance. For example, a microwave may have a power rating of 700W, and you may run it for three minutes. So, three divided by 60 (minutes in an hour), multiplied by 0.7 is 0.035kWh.”

Of course, when it comes to appliances like slow cookers, pressure cookers, soup makers and so on, comparing energy use might not be helpful. “Different types of cooker are used for specific purposes, or produce food that is different to an equivalent meal cooked in a different way. This means you may not want to compare them in terms of the amount of energy they use.” But, Horne adds that, “You can make direct comparisons between different appliances doing an equivalent job.”

BUYING NEW KIT

A good general rule when shopping for new kit is to look for the best energy rating for the size you need. A big oven might have a better rating than a smaller one, for example, but if you don’t need a large oven, it will still work out less efficient. Another point to consider is that rising energy prices means past calculations as to how much an appliance costs to run are becoming outdated. Ben Welling, a Smart Energy GB spokesperson says, “Though there is information out there about the cost of energy and how that equates to usage of different types of appliances, that data is all based on standardised cost per unit of energy, which at the current rate of rising energy prices, goes out of date very quickly.”