Site Prices Update
Last Updated28th June 2022
All calculations on this site are based on current fuel prices, they are checked regularly and calculations are automatically updated.
The costs calculated based on these fuel prices should be regarded as 'good estimates', given that fuel prices vary in different parts of the county and at different time of the year.
The calculations also have different levels of accuracy depending on the nature of the calculation. For example calculating the energy use of a known power output TV is very easy compared to calculating the effect on energy savings when insulating a cavity wall.
Site Calculations
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User PricesFor several of the fuel prices on this site you can now set your own prices and all the calculations on the site will adjust accordingly.
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At Confused About Energy we aim to provide practical, impartial advice on all aspects of energy usage, climate change and ways to save money on energy bills.
All calculations on this site are based on current fuel prices they are checked regularly are automatically updated and were last changed on:-
28th June 2022
The costs calculated based on these fuel prices should be regarded as 'good estimates', given that fuel prices vary in different parts of the county and at different time of the year.
The calculations also have different levels of accuracy depending on the nature of the calculation. For example calculating the energy use of a known power output TV is very easy compared to calculating the effect on energy savings when insulating a cavity wall.
Site Calculations
Electricity | £0.271 per unit (1 kWh) |
Economy Electricity | £0.094 per unit (1 kWh) |
Gas | £0.072 per unit (1 kWh) |
Domestic LPG | £0.122 per unit (1 kWh) |
Heating Oil | £0.104 per unit (1 kWh) |
UK Grid CO2 Emissions | 0.233 kg per kWh used |
The main units used in this site are in the table below, For a complete explanation of power and energy Read More.
Unit | Name | Detail |
---|---|---|
W | Watt | Unit of Power |
kW | Kilowatt | 1000 watts |
kWh | Kilowatt hour | Measure of Energy |
L | Litre | Measure of Volume |
Please use twitter to ask a question Message @@EnergyThinking
Fridges and freezers are switched on 24 hours a day 7 days a week so running costs are high.
All new fridges and freezers carry an EU energy efficiency rating from A++ (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient). The vast majority of products are at least A rated. However for refrigeration products the rating is not based on actual energy consumption but the energy efficiency in relation to size (the internal volume of the compartments).
Size matters!
The bigger the fridge/freezer, the more it will cost to run. The table below shows the annual running costs of three ‘A’ rated fridge freezers of different sizes.
Fridge/freezer size | Annual energy consumption | Energy Rating | Annual running costs (Carbon Dioxide Emissions) |
8.2 Cubic feet | 292 kWh/year | A |
£79.137 (68kg) |
13.5 Cubic feet | 409 kWh/year | A |
£110.841 (95.3kg) |
22 Cubic feet | 524 kWh/year | A |
£142.001 (122.1kg) |
As you see, the energy consumption and running costs vary significantly, even though they all have the same ‘A’ rating.
Tips for buying a new fridge freezer
- Select the smallest product that will meet your household needs.
- Additional features such as ice makers increase energy consumption.
- Cyclic defrost fridges are more economical than frost free.
- Side-by-side refrigerator/freezers use more energy than similarly sized models with the freezer on top.
To compare energy consumption across different sizes and types look for the kWh/year figure on the energy label. The bigger this figure the more it will cost to run. If you want to work out the annual running costs of different fridge freezers then simply locate the ‘Kwh/year figure on the energy label and type it into Calculator 2 in the left column and it will tell you how much it will cost based on current average energy prices.
Energy saving tips for fridge freeezer...Fridge and freezer energy rating are based on standard annual energy consumption (SAEc) which varies according to type. So an upright frost free fridge/freezer climate class T will use far more energy than a chest freezer climate class N with the same energy rating. Also auto defrost also means there is a fan so all freezer at same temperature there are no warm spots plus draws can be removed so more room for Christmas Turkey. Frost free have a defrost cycle so are cyclic defrost it's the same thing. So food safety wise using frost free is best as all food at same temperature. But some fridge freezers can control the fridge and freezer temperatures independent and as a result you can put fridge in holiday mode but still have freezer active.
Inverter control comes in two flavours. It can mean simply no start up heavy current draw meaning volt drop will not cause premature failure great if kept in a shed. Or it can mean motor never stops but alters speed as required so freezer stays at exactly right temperature it does not hover between two limits.
In both cases it means motor will likely last longer and use less power. Three phase motors are more reliable than single phase and with inverter control the motor is three phase.
So expensive inverter freezer with life of 10 years or non inverter with life of 5 years makes a huge difference to total cost per year.
So in real terms it is nearly impossible to compare freezer and fridge costs. There are a few which are really bad. The USA style freezer designed for higher ambient temperatures than found in UK can be very expensive to run.
So forget looking at if A, A+, A++ or A+++ look at the kWh per annum. And also consider a inverter freezer will likely last longer than a freezer with single phase motor.
Please would anybody give a price list. Refrigerator
This is good advice from Florence. Empty fridges cost more to run.
Purchase a refrigerator that meets your family needs. A fridge that's always empty will just increase your energy bill. A fridge with a 14 cu. ft. size can be adequate for a family of 4 while an 18-22 or higher is better for a larger family.refrigerators for sale
sorry it is now
type it into Calculator 2 in the left column and it will tell you how much it will cost based on current average energy prices.So where is Calculator 2 - Because it is not on this page, can you pleas update.
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