Our guide to saving money with cost-effective appliances

As energy prices continue to rise, it's more important than ever to find ways to save money on your bills. Whether it’s turning off the lights or investing in insulation, there are plenty of ways to cut back on energy and reduce your living costs. One of the best ways to do this is to invest in cost-effective appliances. Slow cookers, air fryers, microwaves, and simple lifestyle changes can help you streamline your energy consumption.

Energy-saving appliances at Fair for You

Head to the Fair for You website to find a wide range of cost-effective appliances in our retailers' catalogue. Spread the cost of your energy-saving device with a flexible loan from Fair for You, and choose a repayment plan that works for you. We have no hidden costs or sky-high interest fees. Find out if you’re eligible for a Fair for You loan on our website today.

Here is a quick guide to cost-effective appliances and how you can start saving money at home.

Switch to cheaper cooking appliances

Air fryers

From crispy chips to casseroles, air fryers can pretty much do it all, and they use less oil than traditional frying methods. Uswitch says it costs around £15.60 to use a smaller fryer for five days a week for a year - or £25 for a larger model.

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Microwaves

Microwaves are perfect for heating up leftovers and reducing energy costs. According to Utilita, you can run your microwave for just 8p per day and save up to £287 per year. You could cut costs further by using your microwave to heat batch-cooked meals - instead of cooking something new every night. For example, you could cook a large spaghetti bolognese at the weekend and heat up individual portions after work throughout the week. Practical and affordable!

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Slow cookers

Slow cookers are a great option if you have a busy schedule with not much time to cook. They pretty much use the same amount of energy as a traditional light bulb - costing just 16p per day to run. That’s five times cheaper than an electric oven which costs 87p per day to run. Plus, slow cookers tenderise the meat as they cook, so you don't have to spend as much on expensive cuts of meat.

All of these appliances can help you save money on your cooking costs. Choose the one that best fits your needs and start saving today!

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Check your boiler

A fifth of homeowners have not had their boiler serviced in the last year, says British Gas. The annual service can help identify any issues before they become more serious (and more expensive to fix).

An efficient boiler will use less energy to heat your home, which means lower bills for you. Not only can this save you money on repairs, but it can also help you avoid costly heating bills. So if you haven’t had your boiler serviced in a while (or ever), now is the time. Contact a qualified engineer to come and take a look at your boiler, and help you get it running as efficiently as possible.

Switch off and unplug appliances

Switching off and unplugging appliances when you're not using them can help you save money on your energy bill. Even if an appliance is turned off, it can still use energy when it's plugged in. Plus, when appliances are constantly plugged in, they can overheat and break down more easily.

Two good reasons to switch off and unplug your appliances are to save money and prolong their lifespan. Next time you're finished using an appliance, make sure to switch it off and unplug it. It could save you a lot of money in the long run.

Heat the human, not your home

When it comes to heating your home, you may be tempted to crank up the heat in order to keep everyone in your household comfortable. However, this can be a costly mistake - both in terms of your energy bills and your overall comfort levels.

Instead of heating your entire home, focus on heating the rooms you and your family spend the most time in. This will not only save you money, but it will also make your home more comfortable to be in.

And remember, always put on another jumper or pair of fuzzy socks before cranking up the heating. You will thank yourself when the energy bill comes out later.

Defrost your fridge and freezer

When it comes to saving money on your energy bills, one of the best things you can do is defrost your fridge and freezer. This simple task can help you save up to £30 a year, and it costs nothing to do.

There are a few reasons why defrosting your fridge and freezer can help you save money on your energy bills. First, when there is ice build-up, your fridge has to work harder and use more energy to maintain the cold temperature. Second, ice build-up can cause your fridge or freezer to break down more often, so you have to spend more on repairs. And finally, ice build-up can spoil your food and crank up the grocery bill.

Invest in insulation

You could save around £250 per year with insulation - and it makes your home more comfortable to live in. Whether it’s cavity wall insulation or loft insulation, there is always an option to suit your home and your needs. Save money, reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment.

Stop using your tumble dryer

It’s no secret that tumble dryers are expensive to use. On average, a tumble dryer costs around £1.82 per cycle and a whopping £216 per year. Instead, you can air-dry your clothes or use a clothesline. While these methods might not be the most useful during autumn and winter, as we head into spring and summer, you’re sure to use less energy and save money on your utility bills.

Don’t turn off your boiler, fridge or freezer

Turning off your boiler, fridge or freezer can actually damage the appliance and cost you more money in the long run. A fridge freezer is one of the most expensive appliances to run because it uses electricity 24 hours a day. But they are designed to be on all the time - and it actually costs more energy to cool them down again when you turn it back on. Not to mention the food hygiene issues it can cause for the food inside your fridge freezer.

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