Which household appliances cost the most to run?

Energy prices this winter will be almost double what they were last year, with the crisis made worse by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Under the government's energy price guarantee, the cost of a unit of energy is capped for consumers, meaning a bill of £2,500 per year for the average household.

This is substantially higher than in 2021 – and the guarantee is also set to end next April when the energy price cap (an estimated £3,702) will come back into force.

The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showed 47% of adults who paid energy bills said they found it very or somewhat difficult to afford them in the period from 26 October to 6 November.

These soaring fuel bills helped send inflation to 11.1% last month – its highest level in 41 years.

As prices continue to rise and households try and keep an eye on their spending, consumer champions Which? have calculated the average annual cost of running the largest household appliances.

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A tumble dryer is the most expensive to run costing households £170 each year on average, with a free standing fridge freezer second at £102 and a dishwasher third at £96.

Running a washing machine costs a household an average of £77 a year.

It comes as the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks also rocketed 16.2% in the year to October, with some products jumping far more.

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The rise in the cost of groceries has been accelerated by the war in Ukraine, which has pushed up the cost of fertiliser and animal feed due to the impact on grain supply from the region.

The prime minister acknowledged the anxiety felt by households as chancellor Jeremy Hunt prepared for Thursday’s autumn statement, which is expected to include tax rises and spending cuts.

Speaking at the G20 summit in Bali, Rishi Sunak admitted inflation was “the thing that’s causing most anxiety, opening up bills, seeing the emails come in with rising prices”.

Watch: Rishi Sunak Says Inflation Is The Enemy We Need To Face Down At G20

Increasing numbers of people are seeking mental health support as they grapple with soaring bills, a survey suggests.

A quarterly survey by LV= of 4,000 UK consumers found 7% have sought online mental health support amid money worries, equating to around four million people and up from 4% a year ago.

Some 40% say they are now worried about money, compared with 28% last September.

Despite the government’s energy support package for households, more than half of UK adults (55%) remain worried about rising bills, rising to 65% of retired people.

Previously, market researchers Cornwall Insight had predicted the price cap was to rise by 72% in April 2023, but earlier this month it forecasted a 48% rise, bringing the average typical energy bill in the UK from £2,500 a year under the freeze to £3,702.