As households across the UK continue to grapple with soaring energy bills, many people are looking for ways to reduce their usage.
Until last month, billpayers were receiving a £66-a-month energy discount from the government, but as of April this has now stopped - meaning bills are that bit higher again.
While many of us have likely been finding different ways to use less energy, one expert has now shared a trick we may have missed, and it's all to do with boiling water.
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On average, people in the UK boil the kettle more than four times a day, so finding simple ways to run your kettle more efficiently could be a key way of helping reduce energy bills. Experts have now revealed a little-known fact could be causing millions of people to spend more than necessary on their energy bills every time they make a brew.
A trick that can cost around 60p could end up saving people hundreds of pounds.
Thea Whyte from AO.com told the ECHO: “Many people don’t realise that having a high level of limescale build up in your kettle can mean it takes longer to boil, thereby using more energy.
“This means, especially for those living in hard water areas, that simply descaling your kettle more regularly will help reduce build-up and therefore, boiling time. This can be achieved either by purchasing a dedicated descaler product or for a more cost-effective solution, simply by using a homemade mixture of half white vinegar and half water or a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda with two cups of water.
“Leave the mixture in the kettle for at least half an hour (ideally overnight), and then empty it and boil a full kettle of fresh water before emptying it again. You can use a dry cloth to wipe down the inside and remove any remaining traces of limescale.
"Many households have white vinegar as a cleaning store cupboard essential and bicarbonate of soda can be picked up at the supermarket for as little as 60p, making this cheap hack an easy and cost-effective way to help bring overall energy bill costs down.
“Descaling your kettle every couple of months, or whenever you notice limescale build-up will help to ensure your kettle is working as efficiently as possible."
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