An appliance audit is most useful when it describes how equipment is actually used. This worksheet compares current and proposed run-time using power, hours and days of operation. It estimates the electricity associated with that pattern and the potential reduction in kWh. It does not decide whether an appliance is safe to switch off or whether a particular running pattern is suitable for the property.
Appliance run-time audit
Estimate one appliance's annual electricity use and the effect of a shorter running schedule.
Demand often cycles and differs from a product's maximum rating. Use measured demand where available. Keep essential and safety-related equipment operating as required.
What the result shows
The tool converts watts to kilowatts, then multiplies by hours of use and days of operation to estimate annual kWh. It repeats the calculation using the proposed daily running hours and shows the difference. The model assumes that the entered power is representative while the appliance runs. Equipment that cycles, varies its output or consumes substantial standby power may need a more detailed measurement.
Prepare the information for this review
The labels in the tool describe the measurement or record needed for each input. The following checks help keep the entered information consistent with the case you intend to review.
- Appliance: Use a clear name, reference or description that can be matched to your records. Expand abbreviations where the person receiving the result may not know how your business uses them.
- Typical operating demand (watts): Enter a plain number in the unit shown, without a currency symbol or thousands separators. Keep the same measurement basis throughout the comparison and retain the source figure for checking.
- Current hours per day: Enter a plain number in the unit shown, without a currency symbol or thousands separators. Keep the same measurement basis throughout the comparison and retain the source figure for checking.
- Proposed hours per day: Enter a plain number in the unit shown, without a currency symbol or thousands separators. Keep the same measurement basis throughout the comparison and retain the source figure for checking.
- Days used per year: Enter a plain number in the unit shown, without a currency symbol or thousands separators. Keep the same measurement basis throughout the comparison and retain the source figure for checking.
Check the result against the source records
Demand often cycles and differs from a product's maximum rating. Use measured demand where available. Keep essential and safety-related equipment operating as required.
Start with one case whose inputs you can trace back to the original records. Run the tool and compare its labels, units and dates with that example before preparing a wider review. If a value is uncertain, record the uncertainty in your working notes and resolve it with the person who holds the source information. A neatly presented result is useful only when the assumptions behind it are also clear.
Keep a copy and agree the next action
Use Download report to keep the written result and Download results CSV when you want to work with its records in a spreadsheet. Save inputs keeps a JSON file that can be restored into this same tool later. Editing an input hides the old result until you run the tool again, which helps avoid sharing an output that belongs to an earlier set of assumptions.
Where report emailing has been configured, Email my results lets you request a copy and send the same inputs and result to this site for follow-up about your request. The form explains who receives the copy and requires a completed security check. Check the recipient address carefully before sending. The email request uses the current result, so review the entered information before choosing that option.
For help with the next step, Explore specialist support.