We plugged our energy meter into a mains socket then plugged our kettle into it. We had already entered our electricity price into the meter so it could give us a direct readout of running cost. Having half-filled the kettle with 1.5 pints (3/4 litre) of water, it was switched on. We found that the kettle consumed power even when switched off – we weren’t surprised as the handle is warm to the touch even after the kettle has stood overnight. To be fair the instructions do advise turning the ketle of at the mains when not in use.
Fact file
Appliance: Breville Lightning JK15 jug kettle
Mains suppy voltage: 237v
Power consumption: 2420 watts
Power consumption when ‘off’: 3 watts
Consumption time: 2 min 15 sec
Total energy consumption: 0.09 KWh
Cost to boil 1.5 pints of water (at 10p/KWh): 0.9p