Four vampire devices that will drain your bills – a winter gadget costs £1.2ka a year
IF you’re worried about rising costs and looking for ways to save money, you’ve come to the right place.
It turns out there are four ‘vampire appliances’ that will add ‘hundreds’ to your annual energy bill.
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So if you feel like putting some extra pounds in your pocket, you need to take notes.
A few simple changes could make a difference and reduce costs this winter, according to an energy expert.
VoltawareCEO Sergey Ogorodnov revealed the “common mistake” that many people often make: leaving their devices and appliances on standby.
As a result, for those trying to reduce their bills, you should turn off your washing machine when not in use.
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Not only this, but there is also a popular winter gadget that can also cost you up to £1,200 a year.
Washing machines
A washing machine is a useful appliance that many of us have, but Sergey says it is essential that you switch it off when you are not using it.
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The expert explained: “For the average British household, washing machines cost around £70, tumble dryers £140 and dishwashers £100 per year.
“We strongly recommend that users turn off these energy guzzlers when they are on standby. If you don’t run it, it shouldn’t work.
“In addition, using machines at full capacity, instead of at half load, means fewer cycles and therefore less energy consumption.
“Our experts also recommend using lower temperature cycles as high temperature cycles are very expensive, with a 10 degree increase can lead to a 25 percent increase in energy consumption (and an additional annual cost of £ 12).”
According to this professional, it’s easy to do this steps can save the average household between £30 and £60 per year.
Cooking appliances
In addition, the annual use of an electric hob, oven and microwave for the average British household can amount to around £200 per year.
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If you instead optimize a setup with energy-efficient appliances, you can save approximately $40 per year.
So instead of constantly using your oven to prepare every meal, the expert recommended switching to slow cookers and air fryers.
According to Sergey, such devices are “much cheaper ways” of cooking than electric ovens.
Electric boilers and water heating
When it comes to electric boilers and water heating systems, the energy expert continued: ‘Electric boilers cost UK households on average between £360 and £720 per year, and this cost can be reduced by around 15 per cent by considering when to use your boiler.
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“If you always have hot water at home, you are probably heating more water than necessary.
“Is your boiler on when you are not at home or on holiday? Is it programmed to only operate during off-peak hours?
Cheap gadgets to keep you warm
MARTIN Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert shared six gadgets that can help you keep the heating off but still stay warm.
Heating “the person, not the house” means that you heat yourself instead of turning on the heat and heating the whole house.
This allows you to save money on your heating costs and you don’t have to be out in the cold.
- USB Gloves – initial cost £10, cost to use less than 1p per hour
- Heated insoles – initial cost £10, running costs less than 1p per hour
- USB hand warmers – initial cost £15, cost to use less than 1p per hour
- Electric vest – initial cost £50 (including battery pack), running costs less than 1p per hour
- Microwaveable wheat bag – initial cost £4, running cost less than 1p per hour
- Reusable hand warmers – initial cost £5 for a pair, running costs less than 1p per hour
“What temperature is it set to? Without knowing when your boiler is running and when it is best to use it, you cannot realize these crucial savings on energy costs.”
Electric heaters
Finally, with the winter months quickly approaching and many of us reluctant to turn on our central heating, it’s important to ensure you’re heating your home as efficiently as possible if you want to reduce your bills this season.
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According to this professional, electric heaters cost the average British household around £1,200 a year, and many could save at least £200 a year by ensuring the heat isn’t wasted.
The expert therefore advised: “Making sure homes are draught-free and insulated is a simple step to keeping the heat in, so your heating doesn’t have to work as hard.
“It is also essential to judgement your thermostat settings to only run your heating at an optimal temperature when necessary.
“Make sure you don’t leave the heating on in places where it is not needed: in an empty room or even in an empty house during the holidays. Once again, don’t forget to turn off standby.”
5 Money-saving tips for autumn/winter
1. Make your home draught-free
It takes time and money to heat your home, so it’s important that you do everything you can to keep the heat in. Close your doors and windows and fill any gaps with weather stripping.
2. Turn down your thermostat
According to Energy UK, lowering the thermostat by just one degree Celsius can reduce your heating costs by up to 10% and save you around £85 a year. And if you don’t have a thermostat, installing one can save you up to $70 per year!
3. Move furniture
Ensure that large, bulky furniture such as sofas does not block the radiators.
4. Wash clothes at a lower temperature and add extra spin cycle
Unless it is bedding, towels or very dirty items, turn the temperature down to 20 or 30 degrees and rotate the machine twice to remove excess water.
5. Heat the person, not the house
There is no point in heating up a room with no one in it, so pay close attention to which radiators are on.
