You could be saving money or energy based on how you boil a pot of water, an engineer has found. The man was left astonished after investigating the difference between using a kettle or boiling water on the hob.
The dad, who goes by @dinosaurdannyx on TikTok, worked out the costs in a bout of 'lunchtime maths' comparing the energy output and cost of boiling two litres of warm temperature water.
In the video, the engineer concluded the best method depends on whether you want to save energy or money, adding: "The results of this actually surprised me."
First, he worked out how to measure the flow of gas used by his hob, leading him to calculate it cost around 1.99p to boil water using the hob or nearly double - 3.94p - with the kettle.
Although kettles use less energy overall, the differing prices of electricity and gas meant the hob worked out cheaper, the Mirror reported.
The self-described academic said: "If you're looking for an energy saving, go for the electric kettle. If you're looking for a cost saving, go for the hob."
Brits who rely on oven cooking could save up to £604 per year on their energy bills by switching to other appliances, according to new research.
A study by energy supplier Utilita and supermarket chain Iceland revealed a detailed cost breakdown of each of the six main types of cooking appliance typically found in UK homes. Their research is based on the average amount of time each appliance is used per day.
The most energy intensive is the electric cooker, which can cost up to £316.54 a year to run – while at the other end of the scale, the microwave costs just 8p a day, totalling a meagre £30.02 annually.
Other cooking appliances commonly used include the gas cooker, which costs 33p a day, or £120.83 a year, and the part-electric, part-gas dual cooker, which sets users back 72p daily, or £264.03 annually.
Meanwhile an air fryer is at the more economical end of the scale, costing just 14p a day to run – totalling £52.74 over a 12-month period.
The figures – based on the latest figures from Cornwall Insight on 22nd August – come as Utilita and Iceland are set to roll out the "Shop Smart, Cook Savvy" campaign in-store and online in September, to help identify the most economical ways of cooking.
And it is not just switching appliances that could save money, as the data found batch-cooking food could save up to £158 a year, while using the right sized pan, with a lid, could cut costs by £72.
Letting water simmer rather than leaving it boiling can also save £68 annually, and not overfilling the kettle could leave you with an extra £19 over a 12-month period.
The research is based on the energy consumption of 83 appliances across 24 sources, including academic research, legislation, and data collected from popular shopping websites.
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