MANY Brits are worried about rising energy prices this winter, but there are some gadgets that can help to reduce bills by hundreds of pounds.
As household bills continue to soar and millions of people face a cost of living crisis, saving money where you can has rarely been so important.
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And you don’t have to splurge on fancy tech to be more energy efficient.
Uswitch says simple swaps can save you money.
Replacing everyday household items with gadgets that cost just a few quid, can save you hundreds in the long-term.
That’s important at a time when families are feeling the effects of inflation pushing up the cost of everything from the food shop to the gas bill.
There are fears energy prices could rise further as around 20 suppliers have gone bust in recent months, and the Bank of England has warned inflation could hit 5 per cent next year.
Sarah Broomfield, energy expert at Uswitch, said Black Friday, which falls on November 26, could be an opportunity to snap up energy-saving gadgets at a cheaper price.
She said: “Now might be a good time to make relatively inexpensive changes to your home that can make a big difference to your energy consumption.
“Many of the energy efficient items on our list will pay for themselves in a year or less through savings on your energy bill, and the fact that they will last for many years means they come with a long-term benefit.”
Uswitch has come up with 10 energy-saving gadgets that will save you money in the long-term.
Which energy-saving gadgets have you got?
Slow cookers and microwaves use less energy than ovens, and using an electric blanket in the evening means you can turn thermostat down by a few degrees.
Turning your thermostat down by just one degree can save you £55 a year, so getting snuggled under a cosy blanket can really cut your bills.
Draught excluders are the cheapest hack on the Uswitch list, costing only just £4.79, but could save you £25 a year by trapping warmth in your home.
Meanwhile, replacing your shower head with an energy efficient version will cost £34.99 but should save £55 a year, paying for itself within around seven months.
Other items such as radiator reflectors that reduce heat loss and smart power strips, which turn off standby mode, take longer to pay for themselves.
But they’ll last for several years meaning you’ll reap the rewards within 12 months.
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You could also consider using a heated clothes dryer rather than a tumble dryer in the winter months.
A tumble dryer could cost 9p per cycle per kg of clothing, compared to an air dryer costing 5p to run per kg.
Replacing your halogen bulbs with LED light bulbs is also more energy efficient.
If you are taking advantage of Black Friday to buying energy-saving gadgets – or any other gadgets for that matter – be sure to compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best value for money.
MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis said shoppers should check the value of items they’re interested in now to see how much the discount is worth on the day.
There are other simple ways you can save money, such as scrapping paper bills.
If you’re worried about paying for your bills this winter, there are government schemes you can apply for.
Energy price cap rise could leave more than five million households in the cold
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