British Gas, OVO, Octopus and other customers with a kettle issued £144 warning

A woman standing next to a kettle
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


People are being warned their humble kettle could be costing more money than it should. But the good news is, it's easy to do something about it.

As the UK braces for biting cold, households could see an extra £12 a month - amounting to £144 annually - on energy bills due to the new £1,771 energy price cap stipulated by Ofgem. Amid these stark warnings, James Elston of EcoHappy has come forward with advice on how to sustain warmth in your home without burning through cash.

In the kitchen, James recommends making the most of your dishwasher and minimising the use of the kettle to keep those energy costs in check. Speaking about kitchen appliances, James advised: "Kettles are one of the most commonly used appliances, but overfilling them can waste a lot of energy.

"By only boiling the amount of water you need, you could save around £11 a year on your electricity bill." Furthermore, he pointed out: "A full dishwasher uses less water and electricity per item than washing by hand."

"To scale back even further," he continued. "Cutting down your dishwasher use by just one run per week could save you around £13 annually," reports Birmingham Live.

In further advice on heat conservation techniques, James offered the simple yet effective tip of keeping curtains shut. He said: "Close your curtains when you leave the house in the morning."

This measure can retain warmth within your rooms significantly. James outlined: "This helps to reduce heat loss and makes your room feel cosier. Just be sure the curtains don't block any radiators, as this could trap heat where it's not needed."

Moreover, he highlighted the importance of switching off standby electrical modes for additional savings. James elaborated to say: "You could save around £55 a year just by switching these off when not in use."

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He added: "Gas central heating is generally more cost-effective. If you need to heat a specific room, adjust the radiator valve in that room rather than using an electric heater."

Sharing a lighting tip, he noted: "Switching off lights when they're not needed can save around £20 a year" He also observed that, "If your home lacks proper insulation, you could be losing up to a quarter of your heat through the roof."

On the subject of utility rooms and appliances, James also advises using cooler wash cycles to economise. "A 30-degree cycle can save around £27 a year compared to higher temperature settings," he claims.