The UK trade association for manufacturers of large and small domestic appliances, is calling on retailers to help homeowners make simple changes to their appliance usage to save money and cut energy consumption.

As part of its Know Watt’s Watt campaign, AMDEA says that £80 a year can be saved by always washing clothes and dishes on the eco-cycle. The association also advises that £60 can be saved by cooking food in the microwave rather than the oven. Taken together, this conserves almost enough electricity to power a washing machine on eco-mode for two years. Other small maintenance tasks, such as descaling the kettle, can help maintain efficiency and extend appliance lifespan.