Cutting costs and carbon: the high price of bathroom energy waste

Which bathroom devices are the most energy-intensive? We analyzed the equipment most commonly used in this room to determine which puts the most strain on our electricity bills.

The first look at bathroom appliances usually falls on washing machines and dryers, which seem energy-intensive. However, the issue of electricity consumption by washing machines is quite complex, as there isn't one constant value for all models. Daily and annual electricity consumption by a washing machine depends on many factors, such as energy class, frequency of use, and types of chosen programs. For example, a washing machine of energy class A (the highest in the new labelling system from A to G) will be used.

A typical washing machine of this class uses about half a litre (roughly 0.5 kWh) per washing cycle. With washing every other day, the annual electricity consumption will be about 90 kWh. How do these numbers compare to clothes dryers? These devices have a significantly higher energy demand: a full drying cycle with a maximum load can consume up to about 1.9 kWh, and a cycle with a half-load of about 1.2 kWh.

So, would a washer-dryer in one device be a better choice than two separate devices? A standard washer-dryer of energy class D uses about 2.6 kWh for one complete cycle (washing and drying).

Unexpectedly, the bathroom's biggest "power eater" is not the washing machine or dryer, but the water heater. Many homes are still used to heating water, which, depending on the capacity, can consume up to about 7 kWh per day (for 200-litre models with a 3000-4000 W heating element). Smaller water heaters with a 50-litre capacity consume about 2 kWh per hour of heating water.

The bathroom also includes smaller household appliances with relatively high power, such as hair dryers. A standard hair dryer with a power of 2300 W uses about 0.6 kWh during 15 minutes of drying hair. For a larger number of users who dry their hair several times a day, the hair dryer can operate up to an hour per day, consuming 2.3 kWh of electricity.

And what about lighting in the bathroom? Here, too, there is no need to worry. Even with strong lighting and numerous light sources, a standard LED bulb uses only about 10 W, translating into an energy consumption of 0.01 kWh per hour. That's not much.

So, how do you save electricity in the bathroom? The simple methods focus on controlling the devices that consume the most energy. Try to do laundry only when necessary. Avoid empty runs and launching washes with almost an empty drum. Wait until there's enough laundry to wash them all together. If you're drying your hair, do it on the highest power. You'll save time, and the dryer will have to work less, which means less power consumption. The same applies to lighting: turn off the light when you leave the bathroom or limit the number of bulbs turned on. These are small steps that can bring significant savings.