UK homeowners are still paying high energy bills because they are not using kitchen appliances efficiently, according to new research.

When buying new appliances, the energy efficiency class is a valuable indicator of how environmentally friendly an appliance actually is but is it being used? In Europe, white goods such as refrigerators, washing machines or dishwashers are marked with the EU energy label. The color-coded energy efficiency classes indicate the consumption of the appliance. A refrigerator in the top energy efficiency class A+++, for example, uses only half as much electricity as an appliance with a class A+ rating.

However a survey of 1,000 homeowners by gadgets and appliances retailer, appliances direct quizzed Britons on how they use their kitchen appliances and found many are maintaining attitudes and usage habits that can result in higher energy usage than is necessary.

Also a massive 76% do not consider energy efficiency ratings when shopping around for new kitchen appliances – suggesting many are missing out on long-term savings.

Britons’ inefficient usage of appliances also often leaves them out-of-pocket – 47% regularly boil more water than they require when using the kettle, and 1 in 5 use their dishwasher before it is full.

41% confess to having one or more kitchen appliance that is larger than their household size requires and just 11% fill their freezer to its full capacity, despite not doing this meaning the appliance has to work harder, freezing air rather than produce.

Mark Kelly, marketing manager at the company, said: “It is shocking how few people in the UK are aware of the impact their habits can have on their energy bills, and ultimately their bank balance. If people realised that using their dishwasher before it is full, buying a bigger appliance than they need to or simply not being bothered to switch appliances off at the wall is costing them money every time they do it, surely they would change their habits – but unfortunately the fact is that many are sleepwalking into paying much more than they need to, and probably aren’t even aware they are doing anything wrong.”

79% only upgrade kitchen appliances such as ovens, fridge-freezers and dishwashers when they break or start performing badly – despite the fact that data* shows newer kitchen appliances are significantly more energy-efficient.

Kelly continues: “And the fact that, in 2015, so few people seem to be aware of how much money going for a higher energy efficiency rating, or upgrading appliances slightly more regularly, can save them in the long run is disappointing. If consumers truly want to make their money go further, there’s a lot to be said for shopping around, to find a product which combines high energy efficiency ratings with the right price, as these can offer real savings in the long run.”