Fuel Poverty and Food Bank Link
The UK has one of the highest levels of housing costs in Europe, while between 2010 and 2013 energy prices for households rose by 37 per cent. This has, according to The Trussell Trust been a major contributing factor to households going hungry and are frequently turning to FoodBank.
Turn2us, a service that helps people with financial difficulties, state that two-fifths or 40% of low income households and nearly half, 47%, of people with disabilities who are on low incomes have had to cut back on food or skip meals, because of difficulties with paying energy bills - (Turn2us’ Fuel Poverty campaign 2014, a survey of low income households).
Day to Day Living Costs Rise While Wages Fall
Managing energy consumption is increasingly being recognised by business as a necessity but it is equally crucial at home, where rent, mortgage, utility costs, food and general day-to-day living costs have been rising. Meanwhile wages, in real terms, have been at best stagnating and at worst reducing.
Many councils and housing associations have been pro-active and recognised that their tenants are vulnerable and have implemented housing stock energy efficiency improvements, such as cavity wall insulation, UPVC window replacement, upgrades of heating and water systems. In some cases they have taken advantage of the financial incentives in place and installed Solar PV for power or Solar Thermal to heat the water. However not all householders are in this position, they may own their own properties, privately rent or just haven’t had the helping-hand of a council or Housing Association energy efficiency programme.
How much does my Appliance cost me in a year?
What can be done? Well, control and measurement can have a significant impact – reduce your consumption and reduce your costs. However, if you don’t know what you are using, you can’t take effective steps to reduce and prioritise consumption. By measuring, the consumer can make decisions on usage based on how much it might cost.
The table below shows Average consumption of Typical Rated Equipment and Appliances.
To calculate the cost of usage, multiply the number of units by the per Unit Cost and/or Standing Charge per Unit Cost
1 Unit = 1 Kilowatt Hour (kWh)
|
|
Kitchen/Utility Room Appliances |
Average Unit Consumption per day/per session/per annum |
Freezer |
About 1 to 1.5 Units per day |
Fridge/Freezer |
About 1.5 Units per day |
Fridge |
Less than 1 Unit per day |
Dish washer – one full load |
About 1.5 Units |
Tumble dryer – full load of cottons |
About 3.5 Units |
Tumble dryer – full load of synthetics |
About 2 Units |
Washing machine – cottons @ 60C |
About 1 Unit |
Washing machine – synthetics 40C |
Less than 1 Unit |
Cooker & hob |
1.5 Units average per day |
Kettle |
1 Unit per 12 pints boiling water |
Microwave (850W) 20 mins on full |
Less than 0.5 Units per day |
Toaster |
1 Unit per 60 slices of toast |
Other Appliances |
|
Electric blanket |
Less than 1 unit, for approximately 1.5 hrs a night for a week |
Extractor fan |
1 to 2 units per 24 hrs |
Hair dryer (500w) |
1 Unit per 10/12 Min sessions |
Iron |
0.5 to 1 unit per hr |