Survey into the age of major household appliances in Malta and investigation into the scope for energy reduction recommendations

Abstract

Despite the focus put on renewable energy sources the largest reduction in carbon emissions over the past 25 years has come from energy savings due to more efficient household appliances. The latest refrigerators use a half of the energy of those from 25 years ago and washing machines use 75% less. The stock of appliances in Maltese households will include 25-year-old low efficiency devices and very latest high efficiency models. This paper establishes the age distribution of appliances in Malta and the amount of energy they use. This will provide a basis for evaluating policies designed to promote energy efficiency.