With a cost-of-living crisis and an ever-increasing drive towards sustainability, kitchen appliances have never had to work harder, reports Ginetta Vedrickas.
Not only must kitchen appliances look good, but they also need the highest energy credentials, and where best to seek advice on this than your supply chain?
Beko Appliance Partners, the contract supply division of Beko plc, can support housebuilders as they navigate changing regulations by offering energy-efficient appliances across its popular Beko and Grundig ranges, featuring enhanced functionality and innovative technologies to provide improved water consumption and efficiency.
Mike Beech, national contract specification manager, explains: “Housebuilders and developers must understand how their new homes, built following the implementation of the Future Homes Standard next year, can effectively meet the government’s minimum mandatory requirements of producing 75-80% less carbon emissions than is accepted under the current building regulations, while also facilitating the increasing desirability of homeowners to live more conscious lifestyles.”
Beech says Beko washing machines have been designed to reduce energy consumption by up to 35% across the most frequently used programmes, without compromising washing performance, with Beko’s new EnergySpin washing machine technology providing an attractively priced solution to add meaningful value to new homes.
Beech continues: “They not only meet but also exceed the necessary criteria for planning, helping to contribute towards lowering the operational carbon emissions of a new home. This innovative technology offers homeowners a stylish, yet highly functional solution to provide energy savings, promoting a more sustainable, efficient and cost-effective way for their customers to live within their new homes.”
By harnessing faster-than-usual drum movements within the machine and releasing detergent upfront rather than relying on heat to dissolve the detergent, the machine uses less heat and energy per wash to achieve the same quality clean. Its technology integrates energy saving into the appliance’s most used settings, delivering efficiency as standard across the most popular wash cycles, not just the machine’s Eco setting.
And there’s more good news for discerning housebuilders. This year, Beko will introduce appliances featuring its EnergySpin technology to its contract supply range, offering housebuilders a wide selection of A-rated energy-saving products.
“From an entry-level 8kg, 1400rpm model through to higher specification versions, which include additional key functionality such as Beko’s AquaTech, Ironfast and Steam Therapy technologies to further help homeowners save both time and money, EnergySpin models will be available at a range of price points to accommodate housebuilders’ varying requirements and budgets,” says Beech.
Further enhancing a new home’s sustainability credentials, the same EnergySpin technology will be available within the brand’s unique RecycledTub range, where each machine’s tub is made up of to 60 recycled plastic bottles transformed into high-performance materials. Along with an optional extended five-year labour warranty, EnergySpin machines will further benefit from the brand’s 10-year parts guarantee, reflecting the manufacturer’s confidence in the durability and quality of its products.
Beech continued: “As well as providing ongoing peace of mind for developers and their customers alike, this extended guarantee encourages repairs rather than the need to purchase a new appliance, offering cost savings to homeowners as well as reducing the impact on the environment.”
Premium appliance brand, AEG, part of the Electrolux Group, recently launched its SaphirMatt Induction Hob, now available in 60cm Single Flexibridge Induction, 80cm Double Bridge Induction and 83cm Double Bridge with Extractor. All products include a unique ceramic glass, which can survive everyday abrasions and withstand up to four times more scratches compared to the brand’s standard ceramic hob. The scratch-resistant glass also lends itself to easy maintenance, resulting in a twice-as-fast clean compared to traditional ceramic hobs. With up to five cooking zones and a touch control panel, the surface is also fingerprint- and stain-resistant.
Luke Harding, head of sales UK and Ireland, believes that the hob’s launch “underscores AEG’s holistic approach to kitchen solutions, placing durability, sustainability, and design at the heart of all of its products”.
“From conducting research, we’ve seen a real desire for consumers wanting scratch-resistant glass, which is why we’re focusing our efforts on creating a unique textured finish with superior scratch protection, which keeps a hob looking new for longer. We’re also proud to maintain our commitment to energy-efficient appliances, with the SaphirMatt Extractor Hob boasting an energy rating of A+.”
Kitchen trends and building practices are constantly evolving so housebuilders must remain updated with the latest design trends and technological innovations that suit homeowners’ needs, says Chris Ibbitson, channel manager contracts, Electrolux Group.
“At Electrolux and AEG, we’re continuously designing appliances and providing contractors with the products that ensure they can build homes that align with industry trends and that comply with Future Homes Standards.”
Ibbitson feels that design trends like coloured finishes and multifunctional and minimalist spaces are key trends and social media plays a huge role in what today’s homeowner expects from their appliances.
“It can overwhelm homeowners with ideas and concepts, so it’s vital that as a supplier we’re supporting housebuilders in keeping up with trends and ensure we meet homeowners’ expectations.”
Thanks to the cost-of-living crisis and the desire to live a more sustainable life, Ibbitson feels that today’s homeowners want eco-friendly appliances with technologies that help them to reduce food waste, save energy, water and money.
“To further our commitment to sustainable housebuilding, we are constantly designing new products that tap into these homeowners’ needs. This is why we introduced our AEG EcoLine selection of appliances, which includes our most energy-efficient products.”
Included in the EcoLine range is its AEG TwinTech Fridge-Freezer models, designed with NoFrost technology, meaning customers save money as the freezer maintains a consistent temperature, ensuring no defrost is ever needed. The dual cooling system within these models also keeps food 60% more hydrated than other fridges with a single evaporator.
“Electrolux is one of the largest white goods suppliers to new homes. More recently referred to as kitchen appliances, our ‘white goods’ span across our Taste and Care product categories. We pride ourselves on providing housebuilders with our most innovative and energy-efficient large domestic appliances that benefit the end homeowner.”
Knowing which trends are here to stay can be tricky, but your supply chain has its finger firmly on the pulse, says Tom Hopper, kitchens category manager at Miele GB.
Hopper says: “At Miele, we are always striving to innovate and enhance our product offerings. Recently, we’ve introduced a range of matt black appliances that align with the current trend towards sleek, modern kitchen designs. We’re also seeing more multifunctional appliances being used in kitchens, such as our new Oven with AirFry, which helps limit small appliances out on the countertop.”
Hot off the production line, Miele is bang on trend with the launch of its Miele H2766-1 BP Oven with AirFry Function. Air fryers have been all the rage in recent months with the growing trend for a healthier way to cook, and Miele’s new H2766-1 BP Oven includes an AirFry function that will perfectly cook a range of healthy ingredients, from chicken to kale and sweet potato, without the need to deep fry or add additional fat.
As a space-saving alternative to a countertop air fryer, this Miele oven comes with a perforated AirFry tray and crisps up food when spread out evenly and cooked in the AirFry mode, which combines Fan Plus and Top Heat with the relevant temperature for the dish. The multipurpose tray can also be used to gently dry out fruit and vegetables.
“For the height of luxurious living, predicted trends for 2024’s kitchens move away from the maximalist look to something altogether more sleek, serene and subtle. It’s all about creating a calm, uncluttered space for cooking and dining,” says Hopper.
“With this in mind, black is set to be big news for 2024. This dramatic tone can enhance a modern minimalist vibe, whether used for cabinetry, worksurfaces or appliances.”
Hopper’s design tip is to combine matt and gloss finishes: “This is where premium appliance manufacturer Miele has the perfect solution with its new built-in series finished in Obsidian Matt Black.”
The new collection comprises an oven, compact microwave combination oven, combination steam ovens, in 45cm and 60cm sizes, warming drawer and sous-vide drawer, as well as bean-to-cup coffee machines. This built-in series will be complemented by induction hobs and a cooker hood and is based on the ArtLine handleless range from Miele featuring large M-Touch displays and Touch2Open technology. The Matt Black glass finish is sleek, streamlined, low maintenance and easy to clean with a solution of washing-up liquid and water with a microfibre cloth. To complement the new collection, Miele is also introducing MattFinish induction hobs with a new matt ceramic glass surface. As well as aesthetically enhancing the Obsidian Matt Black finish of the built-in appliances, the new purist hobs are highly scratch-resistant with a matt finish and anti-fingerprint surface.
“This elegant new finish will give kitchens a premium look and feel, enhancing contemporary designs and giving classic styles a sleek and modern edge. It also looks stunning in open-plan schemes, where a pure and minimal style is key,” says Hopper.
Keeping abreast of changing household needs is another challenge for housebuilders. According to recent studies, a third of UK households can now be classed as multigenerational, equating to over nine million homes, and predicted to rise further in the next few years. As household sizes increase, upgrading to a larger capacity washing machine makes it possible to wash more, less often, helping to save time and energy in the process. To meet the changing demographic, Miele has introduced its new 10kg PowerWash washing machines. Rigorously tested for larger and heavier laundry loads, the new models will help larger, multigenerational homes manage laundry more efficiently and sustainably.
“Having a generously sized drum also puts less wear and tear on the machine, helping the appliance to last longer. Perfect for bedlinen, bath towels, curtains and duvets as well as larger loads, Miele’s new 10kg washing machines are big enough to wash 20 hand towels in one cycle. In comparison, an 8kg model can hold 14 hand towels and a 9kg design can hold 17 hand towels,” adds Hopper.
Samsung Electronics UK is seeing an “evolution of white goods as they become an even more critical aspect of the smart home eco-system, particularly when powered by AI,” explains head of digital appliances Daniel Barfield.
“These appliances can help reduce the ‘invisible load’ many people feel when they consider household tasks; in fact, Brits may be spending 76% as much time thinking about household tasks as actually doing them.”
Samsung works with partners and developers, such as ABB and London Land Group, so that it can provide buyers and renters with appliances that save time and effort, as the evolution of smart homes is also about giving users control over all aspects of their lives.
“There are continued concerns over the cost of living, particularly energy prices, and developers and housebuilders are seeing increasing demands for energy-efficient homes. This is where Samsung SmartThings comes in, particularly following the launch of Samsung’s partnership with British Gas, which helps customers optimise their home appliances to use energy when the cost and demand are lower,” says Barfield.
SmartThings also features its own AI Energy Mode, available on Android and iOS devices, and requiring a Wi-Fi connection and Samsung account, says Barfield.
“The app provides users with a full breakdown of their appliances’ energy use, showing them what’s being used and when. With AI Energy Mode, users can set their monthly usage goal and the AI automatically switches appliances to Energy Saving Mode, optimising energy use.”
Barfield explains that AI-enabled appliances can learn to optimise energy usage as they remove the burden of daily chores, enabling renters and owners to enjoy the things they want to do.
Pointing to its AI Wash cycle available on Series 6+, he says: “AI integration in laundry means that the washing machine can analyse clothing and the level of cleaning required, creating the perfect settings and programme for the best possible clean, reducing the human input.”
For a helping hand in the kitchen, AI Pro Cooking in ovens can support the entire way through the cooking process, recognising ingredients and recommending optimised settings, keeping an eye on the cooking process with handy notifications to ensure perfectly prepared dishes.
“As technology continues to develop at a rapid pace, developers must ensure that they are providing the right appliances to buyers and renters, ensuring that they are not only able to enjoy their homes and their free time, but can also save money by keeping energy costs lower.”
