Eco gadgets for the home

Sarah Lonsdale tests some of the latest energy-saving gadgets for the home.

By Sarah LonsdalePublished: 8:01AM BST 03 Aug 2009
Last month's announcement by the Government, that households will need to install a range of green energy measures if they are to avoid a sharp rises in fuel bills, has got us all looking at new ways of saving energy. Loft insulation and cavity wall insulation will help, but we'll also need to look at further efficiency savings. Recent advances and inventions mean that even small changes – such as switching shower heads or changing the toaster – can net significant savings in emissions and your fuel bill.

1) Wattson power monitor
Claims: ''Without any hassle you will reduce your electricity bill and cut back wastage.''
Was it easy to use? Very. Just clip the small meter to your electricity input cable and it sends energy use information to the Wattson unit. Watch as background use surges from £120 a year (fridge, freezer, digital clock radio and one laptop) to £8,700 a year as the electric shower is switched on.
Does it work? It certainly makes you more aware of energy use, and will alert you to any extra lights left on that push background use up. As it gives usage in Watts and pounds (based on average electricity prices of 13p per kW/h), it is helpful in comparing costs of gadgets.
Any downsides? After a while, it is easy to ignore.
Cost: £99.95; www.ecosensations.co.uk
2) Eco Toaster
Claims: ''Uses 34 per cent less energy so you can enjoy your breakfast without eating up valuable resources.''
Was it easy to use? Just plug in the socket. A smooth downward action is accompanied by a top closing device: this is the key to its energy saving as it retains heat.
Does it work? Although it uses the same amount of electricity to cook toast as my beaten up old Dualit I've had for 20 years, the toasting time is considerably shorter, thanks to the heat-saving lid mechanism. On average, the old toaster took 3½ minutes to cook my toast; the new one just 90 seconds. On average the new toaster saves us about 70-80 minutes of toasting time a week, which over the year saves us about 60 hours. Our Wattson tells us if the toaster was on permanently all year round it would cost us £1,400; this device saves us nearly £10 a year.
Any downsides? It doesn't have a spring-up mechanism for stuck slices, so burned fingers are more common, however its wide slots reduce the risk of toast getting caught in the first place.
Cost: £34.99; www.nigelsecostore.com
3) Roberts Solar-powered digital radio
Claims: ''This stylish and compact portable radio has a solar panel integrated into the top of the unit which absorbs direct sunlight in order to power the radio.''
Was it easy to use? Simply charge it up on a sunny windowsill and listen to Test Match Special powered by the sun's energy.
Does it work? Absolutely. No need to be tied to a plug; I can even take it anywhere. Because we are radio junkies in our household, we have the radio on at least 12 hours a day. We save the £25 a year it would cost to run a digital radio for this amount of time.
Any downsides? During the dark days of January, it gives us significantly less listening time and has to be backed up by our old wind-up radio.
Cost: £79.99; www.robertsradio.co.uk
4) Siemens fridge freezer
Claims: ''One of the most energy-efficient fridge freezers in the world.''
Was it easy to use? It slotted into our old fridge's place without us having to even change a plug.
Does it work? Some ultra-efficient fridges these days cost as little as £14 a year to run, compared to our old fridge, which cost about £55 a year. The most efficient models however are the Smeg retro range, which are out of our budget (£950–£1,450). Our new Siemens is cheaper to buy, but more expensive to run than the ultra-efficient models, coming in at £25 a year. This still, however, represents a £30 annual saving from our old fridge, plus, no more need for a separate chest freezer, saving a further £15 a year.
Any downsides? The white, functional Siemens is not as attractive as the pastel-coloured, retro Smeg, but we couldn't justify an extra £250–£500 for a fridge.
Cost: £749; www.johnlewis.com
5) EcoCamel shower head
Claims: ''A household can save £140 off their annual energy bill… if metered, will save £250 off the annual water bill. Over a year, the ecocamel showerhead can save a family of four the cost of heating nearly 30,000 litres.''
Was it easy to use? Even a DIY-phobe can unscrew an existing showerhead and fit the ecocamel. The water jet is not as pummelling a flow; more like gentle summer rain.
Does it work? It takes 10 seconds to fill a litre bag of water whereas our conventional showerhead takes six seconds. That means a five-minute shower using the ecocamel will use 30 litres of water compared to our conventional showerhead, which uses 50. Power showers use 80-100 litres in five minutes. With two showers a day, seven days a week, that's a saving of 14,560 litres a year, so £70 of fuel savings.
Any downsides? If you're a fan of power showers, you'll find the flow pusillanimous, but you can't argue with the savings.
Cost: £24.95; www.ecocamel.co.uk
6) Bye Bye Standby
Claims: ''Independent research shows Bye Bye Standby would save the average UK household £38 a year in wasted standby energy.''
Was it easy to use? Initial scuffling behind bookshelves to connect remote radio sensor to Sky box and DVD player/television plugs
Does it work? Easy to use, and according to the Wattson, saves us £38 a year; an incredible amount for just two pieces of equipment.
Any downsides? None. – With annual savings, it pays for itself in less than a year.
Cost: £24.99; www.currys.co.uk
7) Integrated digital TV with LCD screen
Claims: ''TVs with integrated digital receivers can save you £20 a year in electricity bills.'' (Energy Saving Trust)
Was it easy to use? Replace old TV, plug in and off you go.
Does it work? Our Wattson predicted annual savings of £11 from not using the Freeview box; the new Grundig also has an integrated DVD player so we save on not running a separate one.
Any downsides? None.
Cost: Grundig integrated digital TV/DVD player £469; www.grundig.co.uk