Household appliances contribute to global warming

THERE has been a massive surge in electricity usage over the past 10 years as labour saving devices take over our homes.

Tom Halpin of Sustainable Energy Ireland said yesterday that research had traced the spiralling hike in electricity to the increasing penetration of household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, driers, fridges, computers and multiple televisions.

Speaking at the launch of Energy Awareness Week, which starts tomorrow, he pointed out that this high level of energy consumption is on the rise and accounts for about 50% of carbon dioxide emissions a key contributor to global warming and climate change.