Spread of electrical devices could threaten cheap energy rates - 27/05/2009
Homeowners thinking of switching gas and electricity suppliers in pursuit of cheap energy could consider using fewer electrical items in the home, reports the Guardian.
The popularity of advanced computers and televisions means electrical devices are responsible for a quarter of domestic energy use and this could rise to nearly 50 per cent within the next ten years, according to figures from the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
If habits change in line with this forecast, homeowners will be paying an extra £100 each year for the energy consumed by electrical equipment.
Paula Owen, of the EST, told the paper: "As new models of these gadgets come out, they tend to do more. A good example is the PC - they've got bigger memories, dual processors, they have massive graphics cards and these raise the energy load."
She added that manufacturers need to seriously consider the impact of their products on the environment and start to invest in better efficiency methods.
Energy companies have sent out millions of energy-saving light bulbs in recent months, although they have been criticised for doing the bare minimum to satisfy their obligations to consumers.
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