Rechargeable Batteries have been around since the 1960's and have improved considerable since the early days, to an extent now that we would argue, there really is not a need for the cheap disposable alkaline batteries. Rechargeables potentially save lots of money. The newer rechargeable batteries can be used to power portable devises for a longer time than alkaline batteries.
Single use alkaline batteries one advantage in that you can buy super cheap ones from 25p. The historic advantage such as they are ready to use straight from the packet is now not important as Uniross and GP now have rechargeable batteries that come pre-charged and can also be used straight from the packet, then recharged once drained.
4 x Uniross AA Multi Usage + Rechargeable Batteries
They are only SINGLE use which leaves you with the end result of throwing batteries in the bin and it all taken to landfill and with the number of charges from a standard rechargeable battery, the number of batteries to landfill can be between 500 and 1,000 per rechargeable battery! (Varying use / conditions / mAh powering / Brand will have fluctuations on number of re-charges).
Low discharge rechargeable batteries also have some advantages being the usual standard of 1000+ recharges which if you do the math, 1 Single use battery will cost approximately £0.25P each x 1000 = £250 x2 (as most appliances use a minimum of 2) cost compared to a rechargeable battery at approximately £1.50 each at 1p per recharge will have a cost of £1.50 + £10 (1,000 re-charges at 1p each = £10) = £11.50 x2(as most appliances use a minimum of 2) cost! (excluding a charger). Just using the above numbers as an example, lets assume that you have a digital camera you use for leisure and work, taking 50 shots a week with two AA batteries. In one year you would spend £25 on alkaline batteries, but only £4 on rechargeables (Even add in the cost of a charger (cheapest around £6), you still make a saving of around £15 in one year from one simple device and application.
VARILIGHT REMOTE CONTROL PACK INC 2 GP RECYKO BATTERIES
As well as the lower cost to you, a positive to the environment is acheived as less waste is produced, take the above example, one use, one year and you would have saved 50 batteries going into land fill.
GP Rechargeable AA Batteries 2700mAh Pack of 4 units
The master example: Here I am going to summarise a larger example, all based upon approximations, just on a larger scale to give you more of an idea of the bigger impact:
Family Household, 3 bedrooms, 2 adults, 2 children.
Appliances expected using either AA or AAA batteries, example based upon use within 1 year.
Low drain - expected 4 x re-charge in 1 year: 4 televisions controllers = 8 batteries / sky controller = 2 batteries / home automation controller = 2 batteries / 4 clocks = 8 batteries /
Medium Drain - expected 12 x recharge in 1 year (once per month) - wireless keyboard and mouse x2, 8 batteries / Fire alarm x2, 2 batteries /
High Drain - expected 52 recharge in year (once per week) - digital camera x 2, 4 batteries / Toys 8 batteries in total
Total rec-charges required in 1 year = 824, cost of re-charging = £8.24, 42 batteries at a cost of £1.50 each = £63 + decent charger approx £12 = £75 + £8.24, total cost of £83.24
Compared against alkaline battery cost of 624 batteries at a cost of approx 25p each = £156
Total saving = £72.76 (Year 1 due to cost of buying batteries), saving year 2 just for charing = £147.76
I hope that gives you a good summary, that rechargeable batteries are important, they can save you money and also think about this, the above example would be 624 alkaline batteries in landfill, that if you used rechargeable batteries would not have been there, a massive plus for the enviroment, next time you make that 'cheap' alkaline purchase think to yourself and consider the above.
Thanks for reading, obviously we sell a full range of rechargeable batteries and even include some rechargeables in packages with our remote control handsets. Any comments would be appreciated, email me through ebay or call our store:
0800 043 5532
Ben Sunderland, BA(Hons), ACA - Sat 13th Feb 2010
Full Battery section can be found on The Internet Electrical Store
No comments:
Post a Comment