by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
The vacuum cleaner is one of the highest power consuming appliances a household will own and whilst fuel prices are out of the consumers’ control, long term energy savings can be made by identifying household energy drains, adopting lifestyle changes and investing in energy efficient technologies that will not only save energy but also pounds in the pocket.
Chairman of IEC SC59F, the International vacuum cleaner performance measurement committee which looks after energy measurement, Mr Grahame Capron Tee is known by many as “Mr Vacuum Cleaner” due to his more than 45 years involvement with floorcare. He comments: “Of all the products in your home, the vacuum cleaner is easily the most wasteful of energy. Many vacuum cleaner manufacturers and own-brand importers have tended to act irresponsibly in continuing to specify high wattage products which often clean worse than carefully designed energy-efficient products. For example, a typical 1800 watt vacuum cleaner produces only around 300 watts of suction power; the remaining 1500 watts end up as wasteful hot air.”
The European Commission is currently finalising regulations for an energy-labeling system to be used on vacuums. The regulations will include tests to measure how well vacuums remove dust and dirt as well as how much electricity they use. However for a real saving right now, according to Grahame, is to consider using an alternative. “For everyday cleaning it is simply not necessary to use a vacuum cleaner of anything up to 3000 watts. Powered sweepers use a fraction of the energy and by switching to them for your everyday clean and using a vacuum every 2 to 3 weeks instead, indeed Europe could probably close 2 power stations altogether if everyone adopted this strategy.”
Nick Grey, founder of British sweeper manufacturer Gtech says “Switching from a vacuum cleaner to a cordless rechargeable sweeper could be the answer for millions of home owners for efficient cleaning that not only saves energy but also pounds in the pocket. Our customers tell us how much less they use their vacuums once they own a sweeper and how their homes have never looked cleaner. Using a 2000 watt vacuum for 2 hours a week on a 0.30 tariff, will cost £300 over 5 years. Using a Gtech sweeper for the same period and tariff costs £7.80 and an energy saving of 55.5 KWh per year, per home.”
Gtech estimates that if 20 million UK households made the switch from their standard vacuum cleaner to a powered sweeper 1.11 TWh (Terra watt) of energy could be saved. “At this level of energy saving, Sizewell B power station could be shut down for 1 week a month,” explains Grey. “Another way to make a similar energy saving is for every household in the UK to turn their TV off for the next 21 years!”
Gtech manufactures domestic and commercial cordless electronic sweepers. Lightweight, bagless and rechargeable, the Gtech SW02 and SW20 sweepers are powered by energy saving yet powerful 7.2V motors charged via a conventional domestic electricity socket providing 60 minutes cleaning time. RSPs start at £54.95 for a domestic model to £74.92 for a commercial sweeper. Stockists include; Currys, Comet, John Lewis, House of Fraser, Debenhams, Robert Dyas and The Range. Visit www.gtechonline.co.uk for information about its full range of cordless powered sweepers or call 01905 345891.
Based in Worcestershire, Gtech was founded by engineer and director, Nick Grey in 2000. Launching initially with its X sweeper, the company has gone on to develop further lines including V-Tech, Germguard, X and the latest Advanced and Premium SW range of sweepers. Globally, Gtech has sold over 16 million sweepers through its international partners making them experts in cordless technology for the floorcare and garden sectors. Gtech sweepers can be found online and throughout the nation in stores including Currys, Comet, John Lewis, House of Fraser, Debenhams, Robert Dyas and The Range.
Grahame Capron-Tee, who has worked for and headed the technical teams at Hoover, Vax, Shop Vac and Goblin since 1963, was a Director of the Design Consultancy IDC for 10 years and led his own consultancy, Mearsdon Associates since 2001. He has also been chairman of the BSI Domestic Appliance performance committees, the American ASTM international vacuum cleaner committee as well as being a member of the IEC SC59F surface cleaning appliance performance committee since 1980 and chairman since 1986.
A review of the SW20 Gtech powered sweeper is to follow shortly. So, look out for this in the pages of the GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW in the next week or so.
© 2011
