How to save cash on your fridge freezer
Experts at the Food Standards Agency recommend that the temperature of fridges be set to 5°C and freezers should be at -18°C.
Having your fridge at its optimum temperature can help it run more efficiently and is a vital way of making sure it isn’t costing you more than it should.
You’ll be able to change the temperature of your appliance by using a dial on the interior or exterior.
If it’s digital it should display the exact temperature set in degrees Celsius but if it’s an analogue dial with numbers one to five, the higher the number the colder the fridge freezer.
Uswitch energy expert Ben Gallizzi said: “Setting the fridge temperature too high will result in it running at its full power output – and could even cause some food items to freeze.
“Setting it too low runs the risk of food going off.”
You could be wasting upwards of £50 a year, based on the average fridge using 166kWh of energy to run for 12 months.
What to do if you don’t receive the cash
The cost of living payment is set to arrive in bank accounts from today.
But, if you have not been paid by November 19, you’ll need to contact the DWP or HMRC.
Details of how to report a missing payment are included on the government’s website.
You will be able to report a missing payment from November 20 using this link secure.dwp.gov.uk/report-a-missing-cost-of-living-payment/welcome.
What temperature to run your washing machine at to save money
To save on your energy bills, experts suggest lowering the temperature at which you wash clothes.
You’ll still be getting fresh and clean clothes if you switch from a 40C wash to a 30C one and it could save you £12 a year on average, according to Energy Saving Trust.
If you use your washing machine a lot, you’ll save even more if you lower the temperature.
Uswitch energy expert Will Owen previously told The Sun: “Use a cold water or 30C cycle where possible. It’s only for particularly dirty clothes, bad stains or underwear that you are likely to need warmer temperatures.”
How to save £112 on your boiler each year
Over 10.7million households can save an average of £112 a year by changing the flow temperatures on their combination boilers, according to charity, Nesta.
The average household sets their combination boiler water flow temperature between 75°C and 80°C.
But if households were to drop this temperature to 60°C they could slash their gas consumption by 9% – saving households over £100 a year.
Households willing to turn their temperatures down to 55°C could even slash their consumption by 12%.
The trick works if you have a combi-boiler, which provides both hot water and heating – and it’s the most common type of model used by Brits.
But, it’s important to bear in mind that if you have a hot water cylinder, you should keep the dial on 60C to stop the spread of germs and bacteria.
Legionella bacteria flourishes between 20-45 degrees, so it’s important to store water at a higher temperature.
How much is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit payments are made up of a standard allowance and then various additional payments that depend on your circumstances.
This is how much you will get as your standard allowance each month:
- Single, under 25 – £292.11
- Single, 25 or over – £368.74
- Couple, joint claimants both under 25 – £458.51 (for both)
- Couple, joint claimants, one or both 25 or over – £578.82 (for both)
You may also get additional payments depending on your circumstances.
Free debt advice
If you’re in debt there are plenty of services you can take advantage of and they offer free advice on how to manage debt.
Most of them can offer you free guidance and help in person, over the telephone or online.
