The beginning of the year is a time when many people decide to replace or purchase new appliances for their home. New garden equipment, a barbecue or more modern models of white and brown goods are often on consumers' minds. However, when making a purchase decision, it is worth looking at how these appliances will affect our household's monthly electricity consumption.

The right choices can help you to optimise your electricity bills and fit within the limits set by the government's shield measures. Preferential rates per kilowatt hour only apply in the first half of the year, so it's worth analysing the energy consumption of individual appliances now. Here are some key points to consider when shopping around.

Energy efficiency classes of appliances

Energy ratings are an important parameter to pay attention to when choosing new appliances. These labels inform us about the energy efficiency of a particular appliance. On a scale from A to G, the higher the energy class, the lower the energy consumption. For example:

• Class A are the most efficient appliances that use very little energy.
• Class B is also very economical, although slightly less so than A.
• Classes C to G are appliances with increasingly poor energy efficiency that use more electricity.

Energy classes are determined on the basis of the energy efficiency index and the guidelines contained in the European Union directive. It is worth noting that different types of appliances have different criteria. This means that the energy class is applicable when comparing, for example, two fridges, especially if they are the same size, but it does not make any sense to compare the energy class of a fridge and a washing machine. 

Matching equipment to needs

It is also worth matching the size and capacity of the equipment to our actual needs. For example, if you are planning to buy an air conditioner, it is important to take into account the area of the room you want it to cool. An air conditioner that is too big or too small can lead to unnecessary energy consumption. It is also worth bearing in mind that a larger washing machine or dishwasher will use more electricity during operation. On the other hand, a smaller appliance may be switched on more often, which will also affect the electricity bill. It is therefore worth adjusting the size of these appliances to our needs. Unconsidered purchases can result in higher electricity bills.

Electricity is a commodity that we pay for. When choosing an electrical appliance, we have to reckon with the fact that its cost is not only the amount we pay at the checkout, but also the amount of energy consumed by our appliance. An air conditioner with a power output of 2.5 kW costs around PLN 2,000. And that is how much it can cost annually to use it for a few hours a day during the spring and summer months. That is why it is worthwhile not only to shop consciously for equipment, but also to use it rationally. In the case of air-conditioning, for example, it is enough to limit its operation to really warm days, regularly ventilate the room, especially in the mornings and evenings when the temperature is lower, set the temperature slightly higher, but still comfortable, and above all maintain and clean the device. This can bring savings of up to several hundred PLN - points out Maciej Maciejowski of the Polish Electricity Committee.

Energy-saving programmes in household appliances and white goods

When choosing new domestic appliances and white goods, it is worth paying attention to the availability of energy-saving or eco modes. These programmes allow a reduction in energy consumption, which, especially with frequent use, can translate significantly into lower bills. For example, a dishwasher or washing machine using energy-saving mode can use not only significantly less water, but above all electricity, than a standard programme. Similarly, many televisions and computers have low-energy modes that save energy when they are in use. Switching on such a mode can reduce our costs and contribute to the sustainable use of electricity.

Buying new appliances for your home is a great opportunity to optimise your bills. By choosing appliances with a high energy rating, adapting them to our needs and using energy-saving programmes, we can significantly reduce our electricity consumption and save money. This is not only good for our wallets, but also for the environment, so it is worth approaching these purchases with care and proper energy awareness. With the right choices, we can gain both the comfort of new appliances and a sense of care for the environment.