Eco-friendly appliances to ease the load on Mother Nature – Growing Family

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Eco-friendly appliances are not only good for Mother Nature. They can also save you time and money over both the short and long term.

Here are a few of the best eco-friendly appliances you should consider for your home.

Electric kettle

An electric kettle is one of those appliances that are not only super-convenient, like a fridge with water dispenser, but also brilliant for saving time and money. This is especially true of kettles that are fitted with an auto switch-off feature. 

It’s very common for people around the world to boil water in pots or in a stove-top kettle, however, these methods tend to use a lot more energy compared to an electric kettle.

Toaster

Toasters can be incredibly energy-efficient if you choose the right one. While they heat up quickly and can make toast in no time, the size of the toaster is often the difference between an energy-efficient one, and one that uses far more power than you actually need. 

Toasters that can hold more bread than you need to toast will waste lots of energy. If you usually only make two slices of toast at a time, a two-slice toaster is more than sufficient. 

Blender

Like toasters, the right size blender will be more energy-efficient. If you don’t need a large blenders, there are plenty of smaller ones that you can use to blend a wide range of foods in a matter of seconds.

Air fryer

Air fryers are easily one of the best appliances you can own for multiple reasons. Not only can many of them cook everything from cakes to pizza, but they are also ultra-efficient at using and saving energy. 

An air fryer can also replace many appliances that you already own, further cutting your energy bills. 

Rice cooker

While this is a more niche appliance, if you eat a lot of rice, a rice cooker is well worth considering for your kitchen. Much like an air fryer, it’s a “set it and forget it” appliance that only uses enough energy to cook your rice perfectly. 

Coffee maker

Coffee makers have exploded in popularity over the past few years. However, there aren’t many that are environmentally friendly, especially those that require single-use pods.

If possible, a manual coffee maker is the better choice. If you still want to use pods, it’s best to invest in reusable pods. These can be filled with the coffee of your choice, and can be easily cleaned and reused. 

Dishwasher

An energy-efficient dishwasher is substantially better for the environment, and your wallet, than washing your dishes in the sink, by hand. There are two main reasons for this: dishwashers are brilliant at using water and electricity effectively. 

Make sure you use your dishwasher to the best of its ability. Many people make the mistake of turning it on when it isn’t full or packed properly. Running it on a part load is less energy efficient, while badly loaded items can significantly impact how effectively it can clean your dishes.

Washer & dryer

A washing machine and tumble dryer are a slightly mixed bag when it comes to being eco-friendly.

When choosing a washing machine, make sure it has a high-efficiency rating. A washing machine can blow through electricity in no time, especially when you consider the average household does upwards of 300 loads of laundry every year. 

A tumble dryer should be viewed as more of a luxury in some ways. While it is a necessity in some households, to be more eco-friendly, the best option is to not use a dryer at all. Hanging your clothes outside or using a drying rack may take longer, but doesn’t use any electricity at all.

Extra benefits of eco-friendly appliances

Being more eco-friendly when choosing and using home appliances isn’t just a good thing for the environment. There are several other benefits that you will notice almost immediately. 

Reduced water usage

Firstly, appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines are incredibly efficient at using water and can therefore save water over the long run.

However, it’s still important to choose an eco-friendly model. Not all washing machines and dishwashers are made equally, and if it isn’t eco-friendly, you may not see a positive change on your water bill.

Reduced energy bills

Energy-efficient appliances use less energy, and this will help to reduce your energy bills. This also applies to appliances that use less water, as they are designed to use only the energy and water that is needed for the job. 

For kitchen appliances, an air fryer, for example, not only saves you money because of how efficient it is. As it can replace many appliances you already own, the savings could be far greater than you first thought. 

Time savings

Appliances like electric kettles, coffee makers, and air fryers are not only more eco-friendly and save you money, but they can also save you lots of time. For example, something that cooks in one or two hours in an oven can be finished in 30 minutes or less in an air fryer.

Will you be making the switch to eco-friendly models next time you’re replacing household appliances?