A MONEY saving pro has shared their top tips for cutting the cost of energy just as bills are rising.
Millions of households face paying higher prices for gas and electric after the price cap increased by 54% on April 1.
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It means anyone on standard variable tariffs will face paying more for their energy bill.
Exactly how much extra you’ll pay will depend on your usage, but the typical dual fuel bill is going by nearly £700.
While you can’t do much to change the price you pay for energy right now, you can reduce your consumption around the home to save cash.
In fact, you could be using far more than you think from simple household appliances.
Claire Horne, an energy saving expert, has revealed how to save on the cost of common household appliances.
Fridge freezer
A fridge freezer can take up a large chunk of your energy bill, especially as it stays running all day and all night.
“Firstly, the more products it contains, the harder it needs to work in order to stay cool and work properly, so begin by making sure you do not overload the fridge,” the kitchen expert from Kessler’s told Metro.
“Being mindful on what food you really need to buy not only helps you save money on your energy bill, but can also help save you money on your food shop.”
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Another way to save is to defrost it regularly, and other simple mistakes could be pushing up your bills too.
The frost buildup in increases the amount of work your freezer’s motor has to do.
And if the motor is working harder, then this means it’s using more energy.
Experts at Energyhelpline also told The Sun to unclutter your fridge for similar reasons.
Your extractor fan is helpfully clearing up the grime and smells from your cooking – but it does cost money to run.
But Claire recommends that you only need to be running it for five to 10 minutes after you finish cooking.
If you leave it on and forget about it after, you could set an alarm just like with cooking to remember to turn it off.
The Sun found that extractor fans and unused vents are one of the areas around the home which could be leaking heat and costing you hundreds each year.
You should also check the filter – keep these clean or risk reduced efficiency.
They usually just need emptying or putting through the washing machine.
Oven
The same goes for ovens – the dirtier they are the harder they have to work to heat up and cook your food.
You could also save cash by switching the oven off BEFORE you’re done cooking.
This can help if you turn it off five minutes before and keep the door closed, thanks to the residual heat.
“The oven will stay warm enough during this time, so your food will still be cooked to completion,” Claire told the publication.
Hob
Cooking typically accounts for about 14% of electricity used in homes.
The oven costs the most to run, followed by the hob. Appliances such as microwaves, slow cookers and air fryers use less energy.
Switching off the oven and cooking on the hob or microwave instead could save £114 over the course of the year.
Will Owen, energy expert at uswitch.com, told The Sun: “Being conscious of how you’re cooking food can cut down your energy usage.”
Kettle
Making a cuppa needn’t cost more than it should – but you might be doing it wrong and adding to your bills.
Overfilling and leaving it on standby are two ways you might be wasting cash, Claire said.
Do it it wrong and you could be adding £22 onto your bills a year, according to British Gas engineer Marc Robson.
Overfilling it with water and boiling it means you’re wasting money heating up water you don’t actually need.
To avoid this, take your mug, fill it up with water and pour it into your kettle – that way you are only heating up the water you’re wanting to use.
According to Utilita, leaving a kettle switched on at the wall adds £4.87 to an end-of-year energy bill.
In fact other “vampire appliances” around the home could be draining your energy on standby and costing you up to £500 a year.
Meanwhile these energy saving devices could help you cut costs.
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