A new analysis by the British government has revealed a number of interesting patterns about household electricity consumption in the UK.
Among other things, the report indicates that British households “love to keep [their] clothes clean” (running an average of 5.5 washes per week). Along these lines, the average British household spends £81 ($126 US) on electricity to wash and tumble-dry their clothes.
I got curious how US households compare. It turns out that we actually do more laundry than Brits (5.8 washes per week). But because residential electricity costs half as much in the US as the UK (11.8 US cents versus 22.5 US cents), an American family’s washing-related energy bill is likely to be lower.
(Wherever you live, consider washing your clothes in cold or warm (rather than hot) water. It will cut your clothes-washer’s energy bill by 50-90% and your clothes will be just as clean.)
For many other interesting findings, as well as inputs for additional cross-country comparisons, check out the full 15-page UK report, “Powering the Nation: Household electricity-using habits revealed.”
(Today’s exchange rate: £1 = US $1.55)