The kettle bubbles away as you shuffle into the kitchen, bleary-eyed. Maybe you’re reaching for the coffee maker, or perhaps you’re setting up a pour-over—either way, that first hit of rich, roasted coffee aroma feels like a warm hug before the day kicks off. But have you ever thought about what it takes to get that cup from bean to brew? From the farms growing your coffee to the moment you take that first sip, every step has an impact—on both your electricity bill and the environment.
In this blog—part of our series on how home gadgets impact your energy use—we’ll explore the journey of your coffee, uncover its hidden energy costs, and share tips to make your morning ritual greener and more cost-effective. We'll also look at how Electricity Comparison can help you make informed decisions to lower your power usage and costs.
1. The Energy Cost of Growing Coffee Beans - Electricity Comparison
Long before your coffee reaches your cup, there’s a whole journey behind it—one that uses energy at every step. From irrigation to harvesting, coffee farms rely on various processes to cultivate quality beans. Once picked, the beans go through washing, drying, and hulling before they’re ready for roasting and brewing. All of this requires energy, making coffee one of the world’s most resource-intensive crops.
While the energy cost of growing coffee beans might not hit your Electricity bill directly, understanding the broader environmental impact can inspire you to make more sustainable choices, both in terms of consumption and the brands you support. Choosing shade-grown or organic coffee can help support responsible farming practices and more efficient resource use.
2. The Energy Cost of Brewing Your Morning Cup - Electricity Comparison
The morning coffee routine varies from household to household. Some people rely on their espresso machine, others prefer the simplicity of a drip coffee maker, while many still opt for the classic kettle and pour-over. Regardless of the method, each comes with its own energy cost:
- Electric Kettle: The running cost is about 80c per hour (Ergon Energy).
- Coffee Maker: The running cost is about 20c per hour (Ergon Energy).
Brewing coffee at home can add up quickly. On average, using a coffee maker costs around $73 per year, while an electric kettle can run up to $292 annually. Switching to a coffee maker could save you $219 each year, which makes a noticeable difference in your Electricity bill over time.
3. How Vampire Power Drains Your Electricity Bill
Unlike other kitchen gadgets that love to sip power even when you’re not using them sneakily, your coffee maker is pretty chill. When it’s turned off and still plugged in, it doesn’t gobble up much energy at all. That’s right, modern espresso machines don’t suck up power in standby mode, so no need to worry about those little vampire power vampires here!
- Coffee Maker: Modern coffee machines don’t draw any power when switched off, so you won’t find your electricity bill getting a hit.
- Electric Kettle: Kettles aren’t big energy eaters either, but if yours has a warm function, keep an eye out—it might still be quietly sipping power while you’re not looking.
Just be mindful of other kitchen gadgets, though—vampire power from those may sneak up on you and makeup 5–10% of your total electricity use (Energy rating), adding up to an extra $100–$200 on your bill each year!
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