A surprising household item that you would never think could add up to €400 to your energy bill

An everyday household item could increase your energy bills by almost £400 a year, new research shows.

The average British family spends £1,834 on gas and electricity every year – and people with pets could spend even more.

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That's based on new research from Uswitch showing that the regular aquarium can add hundreds of euros to bills.

The price comparison website found that tropical fish are the most expensive pet to own, with tropical and marine tanks costing you £385 a year.

That takes into account the cost of running a 200-watt heater and 90-watt lights 12 hours a day, and a 7-watt pump 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Uswitch also found that keeping fish in a pond is the second most expensive option when it comes to owning a pet, costing households £241 a year.

This was based on a 95 watt pump that ran constantly all year round.

Uswitch found someone with a cat who left the heating, TV and radio on for eight hours a day, and a constantly running water fountain would earn the furry felines £233 a year.

Meanwhile, the cost of owning a cat and a dog came in third and fourth respectively.

While for dog owners, leaving the heating, TV and radio on for eight hours, plus the cost of six baths a year, would cost owners £206 every twelve months.

In fifth place were house birds, tarantulas in sixth and reptiles and snakes in seventh, costing £206, £145 and £136 respectively.

Meanwhile, indoor rabbits and hamsters came in eighth and ninth, with annual bills increasing by £127.

Meanwhile, indoor rabbits and hamsters came in eighth and ninth.

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But the costs of having an outdoor rabbit have been calculated in such a way that it costs households nothing, ideal if you want to save money.

Natalie Mathie, dog owner and energy expert at Uswitch, said: “Pet owners are used to spending a lot on food, care and vet bills, but many may not have considered what their beloved animals do to their energy costs.”

If you have any of the pets mentioned above, there are ways to reduce costs so you don't have to pay out as much in the end.

It can be more difficult if you have a spider, reptile or house bird.

But if you have a dog or cat, you don't have to have the heating, TV or radio on eight hours a day.

How else can you save money on your energy bill?

Energy-saving gadgets such as heated throws and electric blankets can help keep costs down.

Draft stoppers can save you around €50 per year by preventing warm air from escaping outside.

Meanwhile, turning the thermostat down one or two degrees can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Plus, you'll save money by only leaving your heating on for a few hours a day instead of constantly at a low temperature.

According to consumer group Which? Insulating your attic can also save you around £300 a year on your energy bills.

Wickes is selling some for £4.63 per square meter, while B&Q has some for £3.71 per square meter.

How to earn extra money for your energy bill

The Domestic Support Fund is one option. It is worth £842 million and is shared between councils in England.

They then decide how to divide their portion.

But what you are entitled to depends on where you live, as each local authority sets its own eligibility criteria.

In the vast majority of cases, you are eligible if you are on benefits, have a low income or are struggling financially.

You should contact your local council to see if assistance is offered. You can find out which local authority area you fall under by using the government's online council finder.

But you have to be quick, because the municipalities must allocate their share of the recent fund before March 31.

You may also be able to claim a free subsidy from your energy company if you are struggling to make the payments.

British Gas, Octopus Energy and EDF are among the major companies offering help.

In the meantime, check to see if you qualify for benefits, as this could make you thousands of dollars a year better off.

A number of websites have free calculators you can use to figure out what you might get:

Make sure that you have all information about your savings, income, expenses and municipal tax assessment at hand in advance using the calculators.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

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