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Appliances have a big role to play in supporting the achievements of net-zero homes’


Consumer education on appliance use is key if we are to achieve net-zero goals and a circular economy, says Paul Hide, chief executive of AMDEA.


Sustainability is one of the greatest challenges we face – not just the electrical sector, but industry in general – and we need to address it.


He added: “Even under the new rescaled energy labelling, we’re


fast approaching a position where the majority of washing machines sold will already meet the much tougher A rating for efficiency. “There’s no doubt we are making constant progress, but even


if we bring net-zero products to consumers’ homes, until we have a 100 percent green electricity supply, energy in the usage stage is critical in delivering a net-zero home. User behaviour matters. Education and awareness building are key.” Earlier this year, AMDEA partnered with Exeter University, commissioning research to understand householder awareness and motivations on sustainable appliance use. Exeter University spent three months studying real-home user activity and how it can make us more sustainably aware. Said Mr Hide: “The recommendations focused on four areas:


That’s the view of Paul Hide, chief executive of trade association


AMDEA (Association of Manufacturers of Electrical Appliances), which was one of the sponsors of this year’s Retra Conference. Speaking at the event, he said: “We are collectively on


a pathway to 2050 net zero – a target that even the current opportunist Government rhetoric is unlikely to derail. “As an industry, we have to agree on the steps and the milestones that will enable us to reach this required end goal. Appliances have a big role in supporting the achievements of net- zero homes. “Estimates suggest that within the 29 million UK homes,


there are at least 130 million large appliances and over 300 million small appliances – more than 98 percent of UK homes have at least large appliance.” Mr Hide said that even in tough times, the electrical retailing sector was still selling a lot of products, with annual UK sales of large appliances being over 12 million units this year and more than 50 million for small appliances. He added: “Part of our responsibility is working with our manufacturing partners to ensure there is a net-zero action plan across the full supply chain – from sustainable raw materials and precious mineral sources to carbon-and water-neutral manufacturing, net-zero delivery to customers’ homes and net-zero impact in use and full recyclability and material recovery at the end of a maximum useful life. If we achieve that, we will have a true circular economy.”


Impact


Unsurprisingly, said Mr Hide, it is the usage stage of appliances that has the largest impact on energy consumption, which is covered by Scope 3 emissions. “Appliance manufacturers have made great strides in improving


energy and water efficiency,” said Mr Hide. “One of the reasons energy labelling was reset back in 2021 was because more than 80 percent of washing machines sold had already reached A++ or A+++, and as many as 90 percent of fridges and freezers sold were A+ or A++.”


28 Retra Conference Review


using education to improve behavioural intentions – how we interact with our appliances day-to-day – improving householder education on energy efficiency and product life extensions; building relationships with your customers through maintenance and repair education, and also optimising smart technology that can assist with maintenance and repair.”


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We are collectively on a pathway to 2050 net zero – a target that even the current opportunist Government rhetoric is unlikely to derail


Paul Hide


Campaign AMDEA has used those learnings from the study to help shape its current Know Watt’s What consumer campaign that focuses on sustainability messaging. “It’s our collective industry route to support an increase in appliance users’ awareness of how to use appliances at their most efficient and the impact this can have on household energy and water consumption,” said Mr Hide. He highlighted how research showed as many as 90 percent of people don’t use the eco settings on their appliances. The information from the AMDEA Know Watt’s What campaign is available for retailers to use – please visit: www.amdea.org.uk. “We want you to play your part in helping us all reach our net-


zero goals,” said Mr Hide. █


Retra Conference Review


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