A consumer group has provided some money and energy-saving tips after issuing a warning that households will soon face skyrocketing bills this winter.
It comes after Ofgem announced that the energy price cap will be raised from £1,971 to £3,549, increasing bills by 80 per cent from October. Consumer group Which? has provided a number of helpful tips which could help households better cope with rising costs.
Emily Seymour, Which? energy editor, said: “Huge energy bill hikes are a cause of real concern for millions of households across the country, especially when many are already feeling the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis.”
Here's a breakdown of what small changes you can make around the house to save energy and money.
Reduce washing machine costs
Waiting to fully fill your washing machine, rather than doing it in small intervals could save usage by 38 per cent on a 40C wash while a 20C wash will use 62 per cent less energy.
Cut tumble dryer costs
According to Which? calculations, the average cost of a heat pump tumble dryer will increase from £56 to £104 a year, while condenser tumble dryers will jump from £140 to £260 a year from October. An easy way of saving money drying clothes is using a clothesline.
However, it's important to keep an eye out for damp and mould which can happen due to lack of ventilation.
Use your dishwasher properly to save money
The average annual running cost for a full-size dishwasher will rise from £83 to £153, and for a slimline model it will cost £136, up from £73. It's important to ensure that your dishwasher is not under or overfilled while also opting for the eco-setting.
Fridge freezers
To ensure your fridge freezer runs as efficiently as possible, try cleaning the condenser coils on the back as dust can prevent the fridge from cooling properly. Furthermore, if you find that your fridge freezer's doors seals are damaged, replace them as soon as possible to prevent cold air from escaping.
Ovens
An electric oven can cost as high as £66 a year to run which will likely increase to £122 following the price cap rise while a single gas oven will rise to £43. To reduce cooking costs, it may be a good idea by cooking larger amounts of food at a time and spreading the meals across the week.
Furthermore, frozen food can be defrosted in the fridge which will make it quicker to cook in the overn.
Install central heating controls
Smart heating controls can cut your bills and improve your comfort by making better use of the heating energy you pay for. Which? estimates that a medium-sized household could save at least £100 a year by using smart controls and could cut a home’s carbon emissions by 320kg a year.
When using a smart thermostat, Which? recommends using zonal heating controls with radiator valves to vary the heating and schedule of different rooms.
Find out if you could get energy grants
The government is offering a Warm Home Discount for pensioners, making them eligible for £150 off their bills from October. Those born before 26 September 1955 can claim a Winter Fuel Payment of £100 to £300 every winter and energy companies also have their own hardship funds.
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