‘Let’s mend our ways’: AMDEA urges government to support UK households in using more efficient appliances

AMDEA (The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances) has called on the government to ensure that households can reap the crucial savings that efficient home appliances can offer, and to help the nation to achieve Net Zero targets.

The group’s Chief Executive, Paul Hide, pointed to examples from other European nations, promoting sustainability by offering reduced VAT on repairs, and encouraging those homes needing to replace with cash grants towards best in class, high-efficiency models.

In the drive to promote a circular economy and extended life, AMDEA is launching a new ‘Repairs and Spares’ portal as an addition to its award-winning Know Watt’s What energy-saving campaign.

This portal offers householders instant access to genuine spare parts, expert repairs and advice from 68 of the UK’s leading appliance brands. A new ‘Enduring Care’ section will highlight maintenance tips for each appliance category to help homes secure best performance for longer.

AMDEA made its call on the government at a Parliamentary Reception held recently at the Houses of Parliament in London. The industry association also revealed the results of an in-home study by behavioural scientists at the University of Exeter Circular Economy Hub, on whether consumer education can help cut costs and conserve resources.

Mr Hide said: “Right now, everyone is receptive to ways of reducing household costs. Promoting home savings by making the most of installed technology is pushing at an open door. The industry is also putting its weight behind encouraging cost effective repairs that extend appliance lifespans.

“But when homes need to replace appliances, many require help to look beyond the price tag to long-term choices for themselves and the environment. The government must step up now, while there is an appetite for change, to add some meaningful financial incentives.”

According to Youreko’s Euromonitor International report, if everyone who replaced a washing machine, fridge freezer or tumble dryer in the last year had bought one of the most energy efficient models, a potential 755m kWh of electricity would have been saved. This is the equivalent of the electricity produced by 125 wind turbines, enough to power every home in a large city.

Mr Hide’s examples from elsewhere in Europe included: France, which has recently introduced anti-waste grants of up to €45 on repairs carried out by accredited professionals. In Sweden tax breaks are offered for repairs – 12 per cent VAT rather than the usual 25 per cent. In Spain, regional governments (Madrid and Galicia) are incentivising with grants for the purchase of more efficient appliances.