Get upfront and long-term savings on electrical appliances with five shopping tips from Electric Ireland. #SmarterLiving
As most of us continue to work and learn from home, our electrical appliances are working in overdrive. If all of this commotion sees your old fridge pack in or your laptop slow down, then there are a few things to consider before buying a new one.
- REPAIR OR REPLACE?
When an electrical appliance breaks at home, it’s often easier to throw it away and buy a shiny new replacement. Before you bin your appliance, speak to the manufacturer about the cost of getting it repaired. From there, we would suggest making an estimate of maintenance costs vs the cost of a new appliance.
LOOK AT THE ENERGY RATING 
Before buying in haste, please check the energy rating. Electrical appliances vary greatly in terms of energy usage and are all graded with ratings from A-G. For maximum savings in the long run, aim for an A graded appliance (A+, A++ or A+++). If you are buying electrical appliances online, you can often filter your search by energy rating.
COMPARE BEFORE YOU BUY
Electrical appliances can be expensive, and it is important to shop around before making any big decisions. Well-known brands are always more expensive than lesser-known companies, but they don’t always offer a better product. Take a look at the product details and compare things like the overall cost, the energy rating, warranty and customer reviews. Get comparing and see how much you can save!
- CHECK THE SIZE
Find an appliance that suits the needs of you and your family. For example, running a large washing machine for a small amount of clothes, will cost much more than a compact machine of the right size. Each machine will wash your clothes the same but choosing the correct size will save you money.
KEEP IT SIMPLE When it comes to choosing an electrical appliance, less is usually best. For washing machines and dishwashers, choose a model with a quick or economy wash to save on your energy consumption. When choosing a fridge freezer, consider the cost of things like water and ice dispensers – this added luxury uses a lot of extra electricity.
On our money saving mission, we are giving all new switch customers the chance to save £50 off their first bill. If you are an existing customer, you can refer a friend for £20 credit, allowing you to save or spend as you please.
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