We plugged our energy meter into a mains socket then plugged our espresso machine into it. We had already entered our electricity price into the meter so it could give us a direct readout of running cost. Having filled the machine with water, it was switched on to warm up, which took around ten minutes. The machine was then used to produce two cups of espresso and 300ml (around ½ pint) of milk was heated to 65 degrees Fahrenheit using the steam wand. Result – two delicious lattes and this report.
Fact file
Appliance: Gaggia Carezza espresso machine
Mains suppy voltage: 239v
Main heating element consumption: varied between 1200 and 1330 watts
Pump consumption: 70 watts
Peak consumption: 1382 watts
Maximum current: 5.8 Amps
Consumption time: 6 min 15 sec out of around 20 min of use (no power is consumed when the thermostat kicks in).
Total energy consumption: 0.13 KWh
Cost to make two lattes (at 10p/KWh): 1.3p
bill How much does it cost to use a... cost, emergy, espresso, expresso, power, usage
We plugged our energy meter into a mains socket then plugged our 10″ CRT TV into it. We had already entered our electricity price into the meter so it could give us a direct readout of running cost. The TV was left in standby when not is use as it had no front-panel mains switch, only a standby switch. The TV was used normally, around 2 hours a day over a total test period of 180 hours and 32 minutes.
Fact file
Appliance: Ferguson 10″ CRT TV
Mains suppy voltage: 236v
Power consumption, on: approx 41 watts – varied between 37 and 44 watts
Power consumption, standby: 4 watts
Maximum power consumption: 61 watts
Consumption time: 180.5 hours. (7 days 12.5 hours)
Total energy consumption: 1.38 KWh
Cost of use (at 10p/KWh): 13.8p or around 1.8p/day
NB Over the test period the power wasted while the set was in standby was about the same as that used for watching programmes. We turn it off at the socket now!
bill How much does it cost to use a... cost, energy, power, tv, usage
We plugged our energy meter into a mains socket then plugged our iron into it. We had already entered our electricity price into the meter so it could give us a direct readout of running cost. Having topped up the iron with water, it was switched on to warm up, which took around one minute. The iron was then used to iron a huge pile of shirts – fifteen in all.
Fact file
Appliance: Tefal Ultraglide Cordless Iron
Mains suppy voltage: 234v
Main heating element consumption: varied 1753 watts
Maximum current: 7.62 Amps
Consumption time: 15 min 46 sec out of around 30 min of use (no power is consumed when the thermostat kicks in).
Total energy consumption: 0.4 KWh
Cost to iron 15 shirts (at 10p/KWh): 4p
bill How much does it cost to use a... cost, iron, power, usage
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
bill How much does it cost to use a... cost, kettle, power, usage