Boiling 1 litre of water in an electric jug for hot drinks uses about 100 watts of power each time. A litre makes about 4 hot drinks.

Doing this just three times a day for a month will consume about 9 units of electricity (9 kwh)  of your monthly power account. 9 units costs about $2.70 (total cost including line fees and GST).

It’s easy to see why budgeting experts recommend that you boil only enough water for what you need at the time. Most electric jugs have minimum water levels marked on them. This is usually enough for about two hot drinks. (500ml).

Habitually filling the jug right up and using only some of the boiled water is an expense you can easily avoid. How nice to spend the savings you make on a treat you actually get to enjoy.

Some examples based on boiling for two drinks, three times per day, for a month:

• 500ml per boil = $1.35 per month
• 1 litre per boil = 2.70 per month
• 2 litres per boil = 5.40 per month.

Many households have a lot more refreshment breaks than three per day, so their savings can be a lot higher.

A “thank you” to Stu for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

28/01/25