HARD-UP households have been warned not to switch off a particular kitchen appliance – although they may think it saves money.
Many are looking for energy-saving hacks this winter as the average household pays £2,500 for bills, depending on energy usage.
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Energy experts have warned homeowners not to turn off fridges and freezers.
It comes as electricity prices, on average, have gone up from around 17p per kWh last winter to 34p kWh after prices went up on October 1.
Many are considering switching off their WiFi overnight to save money, but experts have advised people do not switch off their internet router when it’s not in use.
The same advice comes for those wondering if they should switch off vampire appliances like the fridge or freezer.
Emily Seymour, Which? Energy and Sustainability Editor, said: “With energy bills significantly higher than they were a year ago, many of us are looking for easy ways to cut costs.
“While it may be tempting to switch all your appliances off at the wall when they’re not being used, it’s important to remember that some items – like your fridge-freezer – need to be kept on to do their job.
“However, there are still steps you can take to cut the costs of running your fridge-freezer.
“For example, cleaning the coils on the back of your fridge-freezer can help improve the appliance’s efficiency by as much as 25 per cent.”
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According to price comparison site Uswitch, the average cost of running a fridge now costs £56 a year, or 0.6p an hour, as of the new price guarantee.
But there are easy ways to keep those costs down.
Narriman Looch, Head of Food Borne Disease control said: “We know times are tough but it’s not a good idea to turn off your fridge or freezer.
“If food isn’t properly chilled it could go off faster and be unsafe to eat. Running your fridge or freezer at the correct temperature helps prevent food poisoning and also helps cut down on food waste.”
Some more tips include:
Defrost your freezer compartment
If you don’t defrost your freezer compartment regularly it could add to your bill.
When ice builds up, it increases the amount of work your freezer’s motor needs to do to keep your food cool.
And the harder your motor is working, the more energy you are using.
To avoid the problem, watch out for a build up of ice (you’ll probably notice it when one of the drawers jams!) and take this as a sign you’re due a defrost.
Don’t overpack the fridge
You should also try to avoid squeezing in too much food in your fridge or freezer.
When your appliance is overstuffed it can make it harder to keep your food cold, forcing the motor to work harder.
Experts at Energyhelpline told The Sun: “Unclutter your fridge – make sure it isn’t packed to the brim.
“This is particularly important near the ventilating outlets, as keeping space at the top and sides of your fridge helps the cool air move around more easily.”
This doesn’t mean you should keep your fridge too empty though as this can waste energy too – but do a regular stock take to check it’s not filled up with items you don’t need (or which are past their best).
There are some items, however, that can actually help you keep your appliance cool such as bottles of tap water, which quickly chill or freeze and help cool other items too.
Choose the right spot
Where exactly in your kitchen you place your fridge is surprisingly important – spots could be troublesome if trying to keep costs to a minimum.
Experts at Uswitch said to place your appliance away from your cooker and make sure it isn’t in direct sunlight.
That’s because it’s going to operate better in a cooler spot.
The heat from a cooker or too much sun shining onto your fridge freezer could impact its temperature.
Keeping you fridge freezer at least 10cm from the wall is also important.
This is because the appliance needs air circulation to allow its coils to work most efficiently to cool itself down.
Experts at Repairaid said: “If your fridge doesn’t have the right ventilation, or lacks space around it, then this can drive energy efficiency down by as much as 15%.”
Check the seals
Make sure you check the seals on your fridge freezer are in good order.
The principle is the same with draughts in your home but the other way around – with a fridge, you don’t want the cool air to escape or hot air to get in.
Both scenarios will make your fridge work harder, using more energy in the process.
You can check whether the seals are working by opening the door, holding a bit of paper where the door shuts, and then closing it.
If the paper can’t be pulled out, then your seal is working – but if the paper comes out you might have a problem.
It’s a simple fix though and you should be able to replace the seals yourself without calling in a professional – they’re usually available online for £30 to £100.
Keep the door shut
It goes without saying that you shouldn’t leave the fridge door open more than necessary.
When the door is open, the cold air is able to escape and your appliance will have to cool it down again, using more energy.
Sarah Broomfield, energy expert at Uswitch.com, told The Sun: “Try not to keep the doors open for too long, especially on hot days, as this will cause the temperature to rise, meaning your appliance will need to work harder to cool back down.”
Avoid the problem by trying to be quick when you’re getting anything out of the fridge, or restocking it.
There are devices or specific fridges that have a camera inside so you can decide what to have for dinner or what you need to get at the supermarket without even opening the door.
More bill tips
Switching off other “vampire” appliances that are using energy unnecessarily – like computers, outdoor lights, and electric towel rails – could save you up to hundreds of pounds a year.
It might be worth setting your appliances so you can time when they switch on and off.
That means you’re not using energy unnecessarily if you forget to turn them off.
For example, you might want set your heating to a timer, or turn it off completely now warmer weather is around the corner.
A simple £8 gadget could help you spot appliances that guzzle the most energy.
We spoke to retired gran-of-three Melinda Gaunt had no idea that an energy guzzling appliance hidden away in her basement was driving her energy bill up by £550.
Making simple draught-proofing tweaks could save you up to £25 a year.
Read our six best top tips on saving money on your energy here.
You can also read a full list of bill help you could be eligible for now the energy price guarantee has hit.
