News
‘Appliances have a critical role to play in future sustainability:’ AMDEA CEO
Editor’s comment
Since Covid restrictions lifted, it feels like the industry has come back with a bang. We’ve more than made up
for all that time stuck at home – my diary for the past few months has been full. There have been events
and retail visits and I’ve even managed to squeeze a couple of long lunch meetings in – it’s just like the old days… Well, perhaps that’s
overegging it, but it’s good to be busy and great to be back on the circuit, catching up with friends and colleagues. Which brings me
Sustainability and the road to net zero were key themes of this year’s Retra Conference. Speaking at the event, (April 5, DoubleTree
by Hilton, Coventry) AMDEA CEO, Paul Hide, highlighted the important part domestic appliances can play in helping homes become more sustainable, and called for retailers to educate consumers on the benefits of energy-efficient products. “Appliances have a critical role to play in
future sustainability – in helping achieve the net zero home. In fact, it cannot be achieved without reduced appliance efficiency which, on average, accounts for circa 15 per cent of a home’s overall energy consumption,” said Mr Hide. “Continual improvements in appliance
efficiencies, reducing energy and water consumption, will play a key role in driving down the overall household carbon footprint and environmental impact.” He explained how 80 per cent of washing machines sold reached, under the old labelling scheme, A++ or A+++ efficiency levels. “As many as 90 per cent of fridges and freezers
sold were A+ or A++ and today’s most commonly purchased fridge-freezers use 40 per cent less energy than those in use in homes just a decade ago,” said Mr Hide. “Washing machines now use, on average,
6.5 litres of water per kg versus 10 litre per kg, 15 years ago. New washing machines can detect half and quarter loads of laundry and adjust their fill accordingly. Manufacturers have improved
the efficiency of water consumption of washing machines by a huge reduction of up to 40 per cent in just over six years, so we are already seeing big improvements in the efficiency of modern appliances over those purchased not so long ago.” Mr Hide outlined how constant improvements
in energy and water efficiency drove the rescaling of the energy labelling scheme, which was implemented in March last year, to better help purchasers identify the best-in-class appliances and spread the range of products on offer over the full A to G scale. He told retailers that selling the efficiency benefits to their customers was as much about educating householders to purchase appliances that best serve their needs (i.e, not larger than required) and using appliances on their most efficient settings. “ ‘Eco’ settings on washing machines and dishwashers can play a major role in reducing energy bills,” said Mr Hide. He added: “We need to encourage greater use
of the eco settings manufacturers have designed, especially on washing machines and dishwashers. “And, most importantly, we need to separate all our end-of-life electricals and ensure they reach a designated recycling point. It is just not acceptable to throw any used electrical item, or battery into the general waste. We all have a role to play in changing the culture to one of greater personal responsibility.”
Read full story online at
www.retra.co.uk. News
rather neatly to the Retra Conference. The April event was a big success – we’ve had some great feedback. I know I’m bias, but I honestly felt it was one of the best I’ve been to. I’m not just saying that because it was nice to get out of the house – I genuinely felt that the content was interesting, varied and extremely relevant. And, of course, it was lovely to see so many people at the networking event the night before, which was also a chance to celebrate Retra’s 80th anniversary.
In this bumper edition
of Alert, we’ve plenty of coverage of the conference, plus we’ve also got the first interview with CIH / Euronics CEO Paul Tyler – I’d like to thank him for giving me the exclusive and also for all the hard work him and his team put in to organise this year’s Euronics Showcase, which was a great success.
It too was another brilliant
opportunity for the industry to get together. My diary in June is looking
a bit barren. If anyone fancies a long lunch, you know how to get hold of me…
Enjoy your summer.
Sean Hannam
hannamsean95@gmail.com
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