Britain's £37 million spring cleaning energy bill
Brits could spend £37 million powering vacuum cleaners, pressure washers and floor scrubbers as they complete the annual spring clean[1]
The power consumption of vacuum cleaners varies wildly, with two hours of hoovering costing between 5p and 37p[2]
Pressure washers for cleaning patios are the biggest energy guzzlers, with an 1.8kW device costing 44p an hour to run[2]
Carpet cleaners are the next largest expense, as a typical 1kW appliance uses 24p an hour in electricity[2]
Uswitch.com offers tips on how to save energy while spring cleaning.
Brits could spend £37 million on their annual spring clean as they power vacuum cleaners, pressure washers and floor scrubbers[1], reveals research from Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
Vacuum cleaners are one of the most common cleaning appliances, with 63% of households owning one[3]. The power consumption of different hoovers varies wildly, meaning that two hours of cleaning floors can cost anywhere from 5p to 37p[2].
Some robot vacuum cleaners use less power than their manual rivals, and have the added benefit of taking the effort out of the chore. One Beko robot vacuum cleaner runs on just under 100W, compared with a 752W Dyson cordless device[2], which for 120 minutes would cost 5p and 18p respectively. The two shouldn’t be directly compared, as the more powerful device will be better for dealing with dirtier carpets, while the robot vacuum is likely to be used for regular light sweeps.
| Type | Device | Power (kW) | How long used for (minutes) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum cleaners | Henry Hoover | 0.62 | 120 | 30p |
| Vacuum cleaners | Dyson Gen 5 Detect (powerful cordless) | 0.752 | 120 | 37p |
| Vacuum cleaners | Vacuum cleaners Henry Hoover Dyson Gen 5 Detect (powerful cordless) Dyson Ball Animal multifloor (powerful with cord) | 0.73 | 120 | 36p |
| Vacuum cleaners | Shark Classic Upright Pet Vacuum NV602UKT | 0.75 | 120 | 37p |
| Robot vacuum BEKO VRR60314VW Robot Vacuum Cleaner | BEKO VRR60314VW Robot Vacuum Cleaner | 0.094 | 120 | 5p |
| Robot vacuum BEKO VRR60314VW Robot Vacuum Cleaner | Dyson 360 Vis Nav Robot Vacuum Cleaner - Blue & Nickel | 0.375 | 120 | 18p |
| Window cleaner | KARCHER WV 5 Plus Window Vacuum Cleaner | 0.01 | 60 | 0.2p |
| Scrubber | Electric Spin Scrubber, Cordless Cleaning Brush with 7 Replaceable Brush Heads | 0.075 | 60 | 2p |
| Car vacuum | Gech Multi MK2 handheld vacuum cleaner | 0.015 | 45 | 0.3p |
| Hard floor mop | Hard floor mop AIRCRAFT PowerGlide Upright Hard Floor Cleaner | 0.06 | 60 | 1p |
| Carpet cleaner | SHARK CarpetXpert with StainStriker (carpet cleaner) | 0.96 | 120 | 47p |
| Keyboard cleaners | DataVac ED-500 Electric Air Duster - | 0.5 | 5 | 1p |
| Pressure washer | Bosch High Pressure Washer UniversalAquatak | 1.8 | 60 | 44p |
Pressure washers for scouring outside areas are some of the biggest spring clean energy-guzzlers. A typical device uses 1.8kW of power, costing 44p in electricity for an hour’s cleaning[2].
Carpet cleaners are another high-powered device, with a standard version using just under 1kW. Two hours of scrubbing carpets would cost 47p[2].
The total bill for a household using a vacuum cleaner, carpet cleaner, keyboard cleaner, electric mop, and spin scrubber in the home, then vacuuming their car and pressure washing their outsides areas would be £1.32 in electricity[1].
| Type | Device | Power (kW) | How long used for (minutes) | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vacuum cleaner | Dyson Ball Animal multifloor (powerful with cord) | 0.73 | 120 | 36p |
| Carpet cleaner | SHARK CarpetXpert with StainStriker (carpet cleaner) | 0.96 | 120 | 47p |
| Hard floor mop | AIRCRAFT PowerGlide Upright Hard Floor Cleaner | 0.06 | 60 | 1p |
| Scrubber | Electric Spin Scrubber, Cordless Cleaning Brush with 7 Replaceable Brush Heads | 0.075 | 60 | 2p |
| Car vacuum | gtech multi mk2 handheld vacuum cleaner | 0.015 | 45 | 0p |
| Pressure washer | Bosch High Pressure Washer UniversalAquatak | 1.8 | 60 | 44p |
| Keyboard cleaners | Keyboard cleaners | 0.005 | 5 | 1p |
| Total | £1.32 |
Uswitch.com is offering tips on how to save energy while cleaning, including replacing older devices with more energy-efficient models, and using manual methods where possible.
Elise Melville, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “Signs of the weather improving and bluebells blossoming are all indications that we’re well into spring, which means that for many households it’s time for a proper spring clean.
“There are so many gadgets that can help out around the house, but it’s worth keeping an eye on how much power they’re using, as there can be a huge variation.
“The lowest-powered vacuum cleaner uses almost half the energy of the strongest version, meaning that a two-hour clean could cost anywhere between 5p and 37p.
“It’s not surprising that the more powerful vacuum cleaners cost more to run, as their extra suction will be better for cleaning dirtier environments.
“If you’re cleaning outside areas, be aware that a 1.8kW power washer will cost you about 44p an hour in energy, so be conscious of how long it’s taking to scour that patio.
“If you’re replacing an old appliance, check the power consumption of any new device. Modern gadgets can often be more energy efficient, which will save you money on electricity.
“You can also save money on energy by using a bit of old-fashioned elbow grease to scrub floors and windows instead of resorting to high-tech alternatives.”
Track your energy usage with Utrack by Uswitch here.
Notes
1. See table two in release.
2. See table one in release.
3. Research conducted online by Opinium, 29th April to 3rd May 2022, among 2,000 UK residents, weighted to be nationally representative. Respondents were asked, ‘Do you own a vacuum cleaner?’ 63% said yes.
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.