Save Time and Money by Choosing the Best Way to Boil Water….

Most people probably remember reading that the best way to boil water is by using the microwave – in fact this is wrong and the correct use of an electric kettle is quicker and cheaper.

Checklist for Saving Money when you Boil Water:

• Find a small kettle that allows you to boil a single cup at a time
• The standard size is 1.7 litres, try to find a 1 litre model
• Never fill the kettle full, just add the amount you need
• Keep a measuring jug beside the kettle to help use the right amount
• Keep the kettle clean and de-scaled
• Switch off as soon as the steam comes out – the cut-off is often too slow to react

How much can I save?

That depends on your kettle and your habits, but here is a summary of real tests carried out by the MeanyGoat using an Energy Monitor:

• Full Kettle with 1.4 litres of water uses 0.13kw/hr of electricity to boil
• 1 x 300ml cup of water boiled in the kettle uses 0.03kw/hr of electricity
• 1 x 300ml cup of water heated for 2 minutes in the microwave use 0.04kw/hr of electricity

Kettle connected to an Energy Monitor

Energy Monitor showing real time results

Boiling a single cup in the kettle rather than filling up the kettle and boiling the whole lot (we all do that because it is easier) uses 77% more energy. Wow, what a waste!!

Find your best friend the calculator….

Lets do some simple sums on the calculator to work out an annual saving…..

• Saving per cup = 0.1kw/hr
• Four cups a day all year = (0.1 x 4) x 365 = 146kw/hr
• Here in France a unit of electricity (1kw/hr) costs 0.0826€ for daytime units
• 146 units x 0.826€ = 12.06€

The Bottom Line

So by keeping a measuring jug next to the kettle and only boiling the amount of water you need each time you need a cup of tea or coffee should save you around 12 euros a year. Now that doesn’t sound much….but think of another nine or ten simple ways to save a similar amount and you have an extra 100 euros. Lots of very small changes in you lifestyle can really add up to a big overall saving of energy and resources. Give it a try, give yourself a free payrise!