IF you’re worried about rising costs and are looking for ways to save cash, you’ve come to the right place.
It turns out that there’s four ‘vampire appliances’ adding ‘hundreds’ to your annual energy bills.
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So if you fancy pocketing some extra pounds, you’ll need to take notes.
According to an energy expert, making a few simple changes can make all the difference and will cut costs this winter.
Voltaware’s CEO, Sergey Ogorodnov, revealed the “common mistake” many people often make – leaving their appliances and devices on standby.
As a result, for those trying to lower their bills, you’ll need to turn off your washing machine when it’s not in use.
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Not only this, but there’s also a popular winter gadget that could cost you up to £1,200 a year too.
Washing machines
A washing machine is a handy appliance many of us have, but according to Sergey, it’s essential you switch it off from the plug when it’s not in use.
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The expert explained: “For the average UK household, washing machines cost around £70, tumble dryers £140 and dishwashers £100 every year.
“We strongly advise users to switch off these energy-guzzlers when they are left on standby. If you’re not running it, it shouldn’t be running.
“Additionally, using machines at full capacity, rather than half loads, means fewer cycles and therefore less energy spent.
“Our experts also recommend using lower temperature cycles, as high-temperature cycles are very expensive, where a 10-degree increase can lead to a 25 percent rise in energy consumption (and an annual £12 extra cost).”
According to this pro, taking these simple steps can save the average household between £30 to £60 a year.
Cooking appliances
As well as this, for the average UK household, the annual use of an electric hob, oven and microwave, can add up to around £200 a year.
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However, optimising a setup with energy-efficient appliances instead could save you around £40 a year.
So instead of constantly using your oven to whip up every meal, the expert recommended switching to slow cookers and air fryers.
According to Sergey, such appliances are “far cheaper ways” to cook than electric ovens.
Electric boilers and water heating
When it comes to electric boilers and water heating systems, the energy expert continued: “Electric boilers cost UK households anything between £360 to £720 a year, on average, and these costs can be cut down by around 15 percent by reviewing when you need to be using your boiler.
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“Overall, if you always have hot water at home then you are likely heating more water than you need to.
“Is your boiler running when you are out of your home, or on vacation? Is it programmed to run only during off-peak times?
Cheap gadgets to help you stay warm
MARTIN Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert shared six gadgets that can help you keep the heating off but stay warm.
Heating “the human not the home” means you warm yourself instead of turning on the heating and heating the whole house.
This can save money on your heating bill and means you don’t have to sit in the cold.
- USB gloves – initial cost £10, cost to run less than 1p an hour
- Heated insoles – initial cost £10, cost to run less than 1p an hour
- USB hand warmers – initial cost £15, cost to run less than 1p an hour
- Electric gilet – initial cost £50 (including battery pack), cost to run less than 1p an hour
- Microwaveable wheat bag – initial cost £4, cost to run less than 1p per hours
- Reusable hand warmers – initial cost £5 for a pair, cost to run less than 1p per hour
“What temperature is it set to? Without knowing what times your boiler is running and the best times to use it, you cannot make these vital savings on energy costs.”
Electric heaters
Finally, with the winter months fast approaching and many of us reluctant to turn on our central heating, if you want to slash your bills this season, it’s important to make sure you are heating your home as efficiently as possible.
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According to this pro, electric heaters cost the average UK household anything up to £1,200 a year, and many could be saving at least £200 a year by ensuring the heat isn’t being wasted.
As a result, the expert advised: “Making sure that homes are draught-proofed and insulated is a simple step to keeping the heat in, so your heater doesn’t need to work as hard.
“It’s also essential to review your thermostat settings to run your heating at an optimal temperature only when it’s needed.
“Make sure that you aren’t leaving your heating on where it isn’t needed – for an empty room, or even a vacated house over the holidays. Once again, don’t forget to switch off standby.”
5 Money-saving tips for autumn/winter
1. Draught-proof your home
It takes time and money to heat up your home, so it’s important that you do as much as you can to keep in the warmth. Close your doors and windows, and fill any gaps with a draught excluder.
2. Dial down your thermostat
According to Energy UK, turning down your thermostat by just one degree Celsius could cut your heating bill by up to 10%, and save you around £85 per year. Plus, if you don’t have a thermostat, installing one could save up to £70 per year!
3. Move furniture around
Make sure not big, bulky furniture like sofas are blocking radiators.
4. Wash clothes on a lower temp and add an extra spin
Unless it’s bedding, towels or really dirty items, dial down the temperature to 20 or 30 degrees, and do a double spin to remove excess water.
5. Heat the person not the home
There’s not point heating up a room that no one is sitting in, so be mindful about which radiators are on.