Latest news with #DanielFessahaye
The Sun
02-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
The nightmare hot weather appliances that you MUST switch off to save on energy bills
Daniel Fessahaye Published: Invalid Date, JUST because the heating's off doesn't mean your energy bills are taking a break – in fact, some warm weather gadgets could be driving them up. With hotter temperatures sweeping the UK, many households might assume costs will drop. But the truth is, some appliances we rely on in the heat could be draining more power than you realise. These " vampire appliances" drain your electricity when they're left on for long periods of time. Of course, how much you'll actually pay depends on how much you use the appliance and what make and model you have. All costs are calculated using the current price cap rates. Between 1 April and 30 June 2025, the energy price cap is set at £1,849 per year for a typical household who use electricity and gas and pay by Direct Debit. From fans that can keep you cool at night and fridge-freezers to smart speakers and garden lights, here are the summer culprits that could be costing you a small fortune... Desktop fan A desktop fan might be a must on a warm night, but it's not completely free to run. According to Uswitch, using a 35-watt fan for around 9 hours a day over a week will cost around 60p. The exact costs will depend on your energy tariff and the device you have. But you can use this equation to work it out: Cost = power (kilowatt) × time (hour) × cost of 1 kWh (pence). What is the energy price cap? Elise Melville, energy expert at said: 'Leaving a fan running overnight for 12 hours to keep cool will only set you back 11p – as desktop fans don't use much energy. 'You can cut the cost of running a fan by making sure you are using it as efficiently as possible. 'Some models come with an 'eco' setting, which means they lose less power so cost less to run. 'You should also make sure the fan is free of obstructions and not dusty, as this could cause the fan to work harder than it needs to. 'Placing a bowl of ice cubes in front of an electric fan will lower the temperature of the air being blown around the room. 'This might cool you down faster, so you don't need to keep the fan on for as long.' More ways to save on energy bills this summer Switching off appliances around your home is one of the easiest ways to cut energy costs. Senior Consumer reporter Olivia Marshall explains how. Check if you still need your dehumidifier Dehumidifiers can help speed up your drying time, while also reducing the amount of moisture and condensation created by drying clothes indoors. However, you may not need it as often during the summer months when you can open the windows to ventilate your home instead. You could consider changing the settings so it runs for less time, or turn it off completely if you can let the air in through your windows. Take your lamps off a timer During the dark winter months, lots of households chose to put their lights on a timer for security reasons. As the days get longer, it's worth checking these settings to see if your lights are coming on earlier than they need to. Turn off any plug-in heaters Electric heaters can be a useful way of making a room a little warmer in the winter. Some of them also come with timers you can set when they come on. If your gadget does, then it's time to give the settings a tweak. Electric shower When temperatures soar, many of us find ourselves hopping in the shower more often – but that can quickly drive up your bills. An electric shower uses a lot of power. A 10-minute rinse each day for a week can cost around £3.41. To keep costs down, try to limit showers to four minutes, or switch to a cold shower now and then – especially in a heatwave. You could also invest in an eco-shower head to cut water usage, which helps reduce both your energy and water bills if you're on a meter. Fridge freezer Your fridge freezer is always on – and always using energy. A typical model uses around 245.5kWh a year, which works out at £66.36 under the current energy price cap. In summer, it's likely working even harder to stay cool – especially if the room temperature rises or if the door is opened more often. Keep it well stocked but not overloaded, don't leave the door open longer than needed, and defrost regularly to help it run more efficiently. Outdoor lighting Enjoying your garden into the evening is part of the summer fun, but outdoor lights can sneakily bump up your bills. If you've got four 60W lights on for an hour each night, that adds up to 45p a week. Consider swapping to solar-powered lights, which soak up the sun's energy during the day and don't cost a penny to run. You'll save money – and they're better for the environment too. How do I calculate my energy bill? BELOW we reveal how you can calculate your own energy bill. To calculate how much you pay for your energy bill, you must find out your unit rate for gas and electricity and the standing charge for each fuel type. The unit rate will usually be shown on your bill in p/ standing charge is a daily charge that is paid 365 days of the year - irrespective of whether or not you use any gas or electricity. You will then need to note down your own annual energy usage from a previous bill. Once you have these details, you can work out your gas and electricity costs separately. Multiply your usage in kWh by the unit rate cost in p/kWh for the corresponding fuel type - this will give you your usage costs. You'll then need to multiply each standing charge by 365 and add this figure to the totals for your usage - this will then give you your annual costs. Divide this figure by 12, and you'll be able to determine how much you should expect to pay each month from April 1. Smart speaker You might not think twice about leaving your smart speaker plugged in – but even in standby mode, it uses energy. But smart speakers are some of the most expensive devices to leave on standby. Most smart speakers draw around 2 watts constantly when not in use. That might sound low, but over a year, that could add £4.74 to your energy bill. So if you're not using it, switch it off at the wall and unplug it when possible. .
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
The exact error to spot on rare coin that could be worth £2,000 – check if you have one in your wallet
Daniel Fessahaye Published: Invalid Date, COIN collectors are going wild over a rare 50p that could fetch up to £2,000 – and there's one key detail to watch for. TikTok coin guru Coin Collecting Wizard, has revealed the small mistake that could make your change worth a small fortune. 3 As he explains in his latest video, 'the secret is all in the face". The Royal Mint, the official maker of British coins, regularly puts limited edition pieces into general circulation. The coin in question is the 2011 Aquatics 50p, released to mark the 2012 London Olympics. It was one of 29 commemorative designs struck for the games. Most versions show a swimmer with a clear, visible face. But around 600 coins were minted with a major error – wave lines cover the entire face, making the swimmer's features almost vanish. As Barry states: "It's called the lines over face error and it was quickly corrected." That tiny difference could bag you a huge payout. According to Barry, one of the error coins recently went under the hammer for £2,000. Even better, if you've got the collector's edition of the coin — sealed in a purple and teal card — there's a chance it's the rare misprint. Is Your 50p Worth More Than You Think One of those sold on eBay for a whopping £3,766 last August. So if you've got any old 50ps lying around, it might be time for a proper rummage. How to check if your small change is worth anything If you think that you might have a rare coin then it's worth checking with an expert to see if yours could sell for a hefty price tag. The most valuable coins are usually those with a low mintage or an error. These are often deemed the most valuable by collectors. You can check how much the coin is selling for on eBay by searching the full name of the coin, selecting the "sold" listing and then toggling the search to "highest value". It will give you an idea of the amount of money that the coin is going for. But it's not always the case that a coin has sold for the amount is was listed for. Coins are really only worth what someone else is willing to pay for them. Sometimes, collectors are willing to pay more for a coin if they need it to complete a set. What makes a coin rare? One of the most popular types of coins to collect are 50p pieces. This is because of their large surface area, as there is enough spaces to add new and intricate designs on. With a 27.5mm diameter, it's the biggest British coin and is used to celebrate big occasions, anniversaries, and historical events. Errors make a coin unique which means they will most likely be worth more, as there a fewer of them. Even without a misprint, if a coin has a low mintage there are fewer of them in circulation and so are deemed rare. As a general rule of thumb, the rarer the coin the more valuable they are to collectors. How to sell a rare coin You can sell a rare coin on eBay, Facebook, or at an auction. If you're selling on Facebook, there are risks attached, though, so be careful. Sellers have previously been targeted by scammers on Facebook pretending to need a courier to pick a coin up and asking for payment, but it's a ruse and the courier is never sent. To avoid this happening, it's always best to meet a Facebook seller in-person when buying or selling anything. Ensure it's a public meeting spot that's in a well-lit area and if you can, avoid using payment links. Most sellers prefer to deal with cash directly when meeting to ensure it's legitimate. The safest way to sell a rare coin is more than likely at auction. You can organise this with The Royal Mint 's Collectors Service. It has a team of experts who can help you authenticate and value your coin. You can get in touch via email and a member of the valuation team will get back to you.
The Sun
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Starbucks reveals new summer menu shake-up with never-seen-before drinks based on popular dessert
Daniel Fessahaye Published: Invalid Date, STARBUCKS fans are in for a treat as the coffee chain rolls out a brand-new summer menu. The range includes dessert-inspired drinks that have never been seen before. 5 From April 24, Starbucks Rewards members can get their hands on three new Tiramisu-themed drinks, ahead of the full launch to all customers on May 1. Inspired by the classic Italian pudding, the range includes a Tiramisu Cream Iced Latte worth £4.95, and a Tiramisu Cream Iced Oat Shaken Espresso, and a Tiramisu Frappuccino that will both set you back £5.05. Each one is made with vanilla mascarpone flavour sauce, finished with a mocha drizzle, and topped with a creamy cold foam dusted with cocoa powder. The drinks start from £4.95 – and are designed to give a sweet twist to your usual caffeine hit. But the sweet stuff doesn't stop there. Also arriving next week is the new Melon Pearl Starbucks Refresha, packed with popping melon pearls, and the Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Refresha, a tropical ice-blended drink loaded with fruit flavour. The fruity sips come in from £4.75 – but be warned, the melon pearls could pose a choking hazard for young children. The menu isn't just about drinks either. Here's the full list of items: Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refresha – from £4.75 Melon Pearl Starbucks Refresha – from £4.75 Tiramisu Cream Iced Latte – from £4.95 Tiramisu Cream Iced Oat Shaken Espresso – from £5.05 Tiramisu Frappuccino – from £5.05 Huge coffee chain with over 1,300 shops to close high street shop Meat Free Sausage Sandwich (NEW) – from £4.95 Mexican Style Three Bean Wrap (NEW) – from £4.20 Chicken Salad Sandwich (NEW) – from £3.40 Signature Breakfast Sandwich (RETURNING) – from £4.85 Chicken, Mozzarella and Pesto Focaccia (RETURNING) – from £5.40 Boston Cream Muffin (RETURNING) – from £2.90 Raspberry and Coconut Loaf Cake (RETURNING) – from £2.90 Starbucks is also adding new lunch bites and snacks, with a mix of plant-based and meat options to keep all customers covered. Customers who aren't already members can sign up to Starbucks Rewards via the app to get early access and collect points for freebies. The full menu hits stores nationwide from May 1 – but it's only available while stocks last. REWARDS SHAKE-UP Starbucks made a big change to its rewards scheme back in January. The updated programme promised that customers would be able to earn free drinks more quickly, but they would need to spend more to qualify for other perks. Additionally, while freebies became easier to obtain, achieving "gold" membership status became more challenging. When announcing the changes, Starbucks said: "We will be switching up your Stars from 3 per £1 to 10 per £1! "We're updating the Starbucks Rewards program in the new year. "Introducing new products and tiers for Star redemption and refining Gold Level status, including amending the Gold Level threshold to 2500 Stars. "Meanwhile, your Star value, credit, any free drinks and Reward status remain the same throughout the update." The company also reassured customers that Stars would still be redeemable for up to two years and could now be used across a wider range of items. Five things you didn't know about Starbucks The name was inspired by a book Co-founders Gordon Bowker, Jerry Baldwin, and Zev Siegl opened the first Starbucks in Seattle on March 30, 1971. The name was inspired by author Herman Melville's famous novel, Moby-Dick - Starbuck was the name of the first mate on the ship, the Pequod. It has its own coffee farm Purchased in 2013, Hacienda Alsacia is a 240-hectare coffee farm located in Costa Rica. Customers can't visit, but they can take a virtual tour. Different apron colours Did you ever notice some of the Starbucks staff wearing different colour aprons? Green, Black, Red and there's also a few special editions. Before there were Sharpie pens Starbucks is known for writing your name on your drink cup, but before this idea came to fruition, the position of a cup on the bar would tell the barista how to make the beverage. Upside down for decaf! Millions of fans, millions of drinks US Starbucks stores will sell around 5 million drinks daily in 2024, and the top-selling of which is currently Caramel Macchiato.
