UK households who switch off five appliances from next week handed £253

UK households who switch off five appliances from next week handed £253
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Fve home appliances to turn off this winter – and avoid adding hundreds of pounds a year to energy bills - have been revealed. British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON and Octopus customers face a £150 hike in energy bills thanks to the new Ofgem energy price cap.

The new price cap comes into force on October 1 and will last until the New Year. Nicholas Aukland, an energy and heating expert at Trade radiators, has spoken out ahead of the hike and explained how to avoid the new £1771 charge.

Nicholas urged UK households to turn off air conditioning units because air-con units are one of the most energy consuming devices a home can have. Nicholas said: "Air conditioning units vary in wattage usage, but the majority use 1-2 kWh per hour of operation."

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This means that having it fully switched off for four hours could save up to £1.47. This can add up to £91.14 over the period of a month. Other items it is worth putting away until the spring or next summer include fans, Nicholas added.

He added: “Fans are helpful in summer, but in winter it is more energy efficient to keep cool by opening a window.” He also urged homes to turn off hot tubs, saying: "Having one on for eight hours a day can cost up to £4.90.

"For a 31 day month, this would cost £151.90 if it's on for eight hours a day." Nicholas said that many people will have their garden features running 24 hours a day, costing around 30p. He added: "You should also turn off all appliances at the plug when they're not being used, as standby still uses power and therefore costs.”

"Game consoles tend to use up to 10 watts when in standby mode, so roughly £1.86 per month," Nicholas said. Nicholas added: “You could be adding up to £60 on your energy bills every year just by having the devices in standby.”

Altogether, it means a possible £253 saving.