Pensioners living in one area of England may be eligible for a free air fryer as the local authority aims to bring down energy bills. North Lincolnshire Council handed out 8,000 appliances last winter, including 6,000 energy-saving cooking devices such as air fryers. It spent more than £650,000 on the scheme, according to a Freedom of Information request, which came out of a £2.3 million grant from the Government’s Household Support Fund.
Now, the council plans to bring back the scheme as they discussed it during a council meeting recently, as per the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The devices are due to be distributed starting in September. Air fryers are not the only option; people can also apply to receive slow-cookers and one-cup kettles to slash their household bills.
Eligible pensioners can register online or head to their local community centre ahead of the planned roll-out later this year.
Council leader Rob Waltham said the move “proved hugely popular”.
He added: “We know many pensioners continue to struggle with the cost of living crisis. Being able to support all older residents to eat healthily and keep energy bills down is important, we know it matters.”
Air fryers can be more energy-efficient than ovens, potentially leading to lower energy bills.
While they use electricity, their shorter cooking times and lower power consumption compared to ovens can result in savings, especially for smaller meals.
The cost depends on factors like the air fryer’s wattage, usage time, and current energy prices.
A 1,500W air fryer might cost around 51p per hour to run, but since cooking times are often shorter, the cost per use can be as low as 17p, according to The Eco Experts.
An average 2,200W oven might cost around 85p per hour to run, and may need a full hour to preheat and cook, notes The Eco Experts.