Angellica Bell partners with Smart Energy GB, UK - 23 Mar 2023

TV presenter and consumer champion Angellica Bell (pictured green top) has partnered with Smart Energy GB to put the energy efficiency of household appliances to the test and reveal which are a false economy and which are a sage investment - all using a smart meter to monitor energy use in near real-time. Angellica visited the home of smart meter owner Louise Brown (pictured) as part of the Super Smart Home Hacks campaign, and the pair went head-to-head testing several popular household appliances. New research from Smart Energy GB, as part of its Super Smart Home Hacks campaign, shows that more than half of Brits (56%) are investing in new household gadgets to help them reduce their energy costs and save money in the future. In fact, the average British household has spent £645 on household appliances and devices in the past 12 months with one in six investing in an air fryer (15%). It has been revealed that tech and gadgets like air fryers and heated clothes racks are a sage investment, however others may be a false economy. In partnership with Energy Saving Trust, a new formula has been created to help Brits assess which gadgets are really worth the investment, to help them save energy and reduce bills. In British households, air fryers and heated clothes dryers are among the most cost-efficient appliances, taking less than five years to pay off the investment through the amount of energy saved (compared to ovens and tumble dryers). Simple desk top fans are also a popular choice for Brits when looking to keep cool and can run for 8 hours a day and still cost less than using a small air conditioner for 20 minutes. But some devices don't fare so well when it comes to cost efficiency - a games console could take Brits more than 35 years to make back the investment, compared to PC gaming which is a significantly more efficient means of entertainment. This new data will be welcomed by the 81% of Brits who are making a conscious effor