Households using a vacuum cleaner could be spending more than £9 a year on electricity for the appliance, based on projections under the current Ofgem price cap.
Utilita’s Power Price List, a tool from the electricity and gas supplier, provides estimated costs per use for a range of household appliances under the current standard variable tariff. According to the tool, a vacuum cleaner costs roughly £0.13 per use, which adds up to an estimated £9.30 over a typical year.
How the estimates are calculated
Explaining the data behind the calculations, Utilita says its “expert analysts collate data from sellers and manufacturers websites as well as from our customers research and surveys.”
Actual energy usage will vary depending on how often the appliance is used, and energy efficiency will differ between models.
Price cap changes
While the estimates illustrate what the cap represents when projected over a longer period, the maximum limit on unit rates and standard charges is reviewed by the regulator every three months and does not remain in place for a full year.
Ofgem announced last week that the cap would rise by 4% in October. However, it noted that around 35% of households are on fixed tariffs and will not be affected by the rise, so the estimated costs under the cap do not apply to everyone.
Environmental impact tool
Utilita’s tool also shows the estimated environmental impact of appliances over time. The company said: “Utilita has updated its Power Price List – the UK’s only live database that translates Ofgem’s price cap into the real‑world cost of powering everyday household electrical items.
“The update reflects Ofgem’s latest direct debit price cap, effective from July 1. The Power Price List breaks down the cost of running more than 100 common appliances and activities, from heating and cooking to laundry, lighting, entertainment and more.”
“The less energy we use, the better it is for the planet,” it adds. “That’s why the Power Price List also shows how the usage of common electrical items compares to the miles driven by a car – households may be shocked!”
