A comparative study of water usage in metered and unmetered households

The purpose of this research was to investigate the water usage in metered and unmetered households. The work also examined consumer attitudes towards water usage, including the belief of the need to use water more efficiently and the motivation to do so. Data were obtained by a self-administered questionnaire from 89 households in the Trafford area of Greater Manchester in the winter of 1995/6. This has provided information on ownership levels and age of water-using domestic appliances and outdoor water-using equipment. Although the survey showed some consumer awareness of eco-labelling, actual knowledge was low in both metered and unmetered households. Those respondents who thought water metering did, or would, encourage greater water efficiency were generally aware of how savings could be achieved. Metered households showed a stronger belief in the benefits of water economy. Twenty households each monitored their water usage for 7 consecutive days. A second questionnaire, aimed at clarifying practices, was then completed. This has provided information on total domestic water usage and variations in the components of water demand. Although there was a wide range of values in both metered and unmetered households, the frequency of use of appliances and equipment and per capita consumption were found to be related to household size. This showed larger households benefiting from an economy of scale. Metered households in this survey had a mean water consumption of 124·19 L/person/day compared with 137·28 L/person/day in unmetered households.     

An investigation into aspects of energy labelling with special reference to washing machines

The purpose of this research was to investigate whether the performance of domestic washing machines is adversely affected by reduced levels of energy use. This was felt particularly worthwhile because of the introduction of energy labelling for washing machines in April 1996. Results were determined by conducting tests derived from BS EN 60456. This research also aimed to discover consumer awareness of energy labelling and factors likely to influence the future purchase of washing machines. The results indicate that washing performance may be adversely affected by lower levels of energy consumption and that washing machines with a higher energy consumption achieve a better washing performance. From the survey carried out, it was discovered that the most influential factors when purchasing a washing machine were price, washing performance and brand reliability. Environmental factors such as reduced energy consumption and reduced water consumption only played a minor role in consumers' considerations. However, the research indicates that consumers' decisions may, in the future, be affected by the information displayed on energy labels.     

Advantages and disadvantages associated with the increased use of microwave energy in food preparation

This paper reviews some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with the increased use of microwave energy which have been revealed in recent investigations. In the U.K., there have been many changes in household structure and in eating patterns. Lifestyles have changed as a result of the complex interaction between social, nutritional and technical developments. There are now many new products and a different mode of cooking and eating is used in which convenience is an important feature. Comparisons between households with and without microwave cookers showed a fundamental difference between time and energy used in food preparation and also between the part played by different family members in meal production. The changing roles within households and the nature of family-eating patterns were evident. Experiments were carried out to quantify some of the observed differences between food cooked by conventional methods and by using microwave energy. The microwave cooker was found to be an important domestic cooking appliance with potential for improving energy efficiency during cooking and providing convenience and increased leisure time but it must be realised that there are problems relating to product design and safety.