The process of using kitchen appliances is pretty straight forward, and we all have plenty of chance to see what energy rating an appliance is before we buy it. The one thing we cannot see however, is the amount of electricity we are using during a set time period, for example any given week or month. Until the bill turns up that is, or if we constantly go to check the meter for energy (beit gas or electric).

One thing that will change in the future though is the ease of checking just how much energy we use when heating, cooking and washing. By 2020 the UK Government wants every house to be installed with a ‘Smart meter’.

Not only do these show us just how much electric we are using at any given time, but also allows us to use appliances when the fuel is cheapest. The great thing about the Smart Meters is they give the chance to recognise which are the kitchen apliances that soak up most of the gas or electric when using them, allowing us to be more frugal in the future, and help the environment and lower our home energy bills.

In summertime when we barely use the gas for heating expect for water, it will soon become very obvious how much it costs to use the oven to cook a roast or to do a few loads in the washing machine.