Using your appliances for longer and having them repaired is worth it –for the climate and your wallet
Dish washers: replacing only makes sense in the case of very inefficient and heavily used models.
Source: lightpoet / Fotolia.com |
Household appliances have gotten progressively more efficient over the past few decades. So, does it make sense to replace older appliances with newer ones just for their lower energy consumption? A new study by the UBA on dishwashers, tumble dryers, vacuum cleaners, fridges and freezers shows that in most cases, it makes sense, both financially and for the climate, to continue using and repairing older household appliances instead of buying new ones. From a climate perspective, manufacturing a new appliance would, on average, emit more greenhouse gases than what would be saved by switching to a more energy-efficient model. Additionally, thanks to renewable energy sources, electricity in Germany has become more climate-friendly in recent years — and the efficiency gains of new appliances remain relatively small. Only in cases of extremely frequent use of highly inefficient appliances would such a replacement make sense. Our infographics show exactly when.
For dishwashers and tumble dryers, you can compare models based on their energy labels and how frequently they are used. When comparing vacuum cleaners, you should consider how much power (in watts) you typically use and for how long you vacuum. For fridges and freezers, you can measure your appliance’s current electricity consumption yourself using a plug-in meter, which is often available to borrow free of charge from libraries, energy providers, or local consumer organisations.
For more helpful information on the topic, take a look at our UBA environmental tips!
