How can I save money when using electrical appliances?

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How can I save money when using electrical appliances?
Thanks for asking. You might be surprised to learn that how we use our electrical devices can make real changes to our energy consumption and our bills. So here are some simple tips to help you change your habits and save on your energy. Let's start with leaving appliances on standby. Many appliances use energy even when they're on standby. Chargers still draw power even if the device is not connected, media players, phones with displays show when they're not in active use like cordless phones and smart home appliances like refrigerators, washers and dryers that have always on displays and many more. This energy consumption is often referred to as standby, but also other names like phantom load, shadow loads, idle current or even vampire power. So instead of leaving things you do not need plugged in or on standby, unplug them. A simple action can make a big difference. And if getting to the plug is tricky, consider using a power bar with an on-off switch to make it easier. This could save an estimated 65 pounds a year, according to the Energy Savings Trust. That might not seem much, but multiplied out across the city the size of London, the annual savings exceed 580 million pounds. What if I need to leave things on standby? Devices we use a lot like computers, tablets and smartphones, do often need to be on for long periods of time. It's not very practical to keep turning them on and off and unplugging them. So rather, configure your computer and other devices to hibernate automatically, for example after 10 to 15 minutes of inactivity.
Another tip is to disable screen saver mode. Screen savers are another stealth energy user. How can I save money by changing the way I use appliances? The humble kettle might be guzzling more energy than necessary if you overfill it when making a cup of tea. Instead of filling your kettle at the tap, use your mug to measure how much water you need, but do make sure to reach the minimum fill amount so as not to damage the heating element.
Likewise, dishwashers should really only be used when they're full. A wash typically costs 32p, regardless of how full the machine is. So wait until the machine is fully loaded and you'll save money.
Tumble dryers are great in winter, but a 9kg condenser tumble dryer typically costs £1.77 per cycle. Save money by air drying for free in summer and in winter, try an indoor heated airer, which usually costs about 8p an hour to run, drying cottons in around 5 hours. Washing machines can also be used more effectively. Modern detergents are designed to get your clothes clean at low temperatures. So unless you have really dirty laundry, you can cut energy costs by washing on a 30 degree cycle. Also, make sure to only wash your clothes when they're dirty, rather than for everywhere. If your clothes look clean and haven't been worn against your skin, you can simply air them out before putting them back in your cupboard and wearing them again. There you have it.
Now you know how to save money when using electrical appliances. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you really will know for sure.