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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. .
Scottish Sun
22-04-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Why your air fryer is costing you MORE to cook with than a normal oven
COOKING your Sunday roast or favourite meal in an air fryer could actually be costing you more than using an oven. Sales of air fryers have surged in recent years as the high cost of living forces households to think of cost-effective ways to cook their food. 1 An energy expert has revealed using air fryers isn't always the cheapest cooking option Credit: Getty But the nifty devices aren't always the cheapest option when it comes to rustling up your favourite dish. The appliances are generally best for cooking smaller meals due to their petite trays. However, for anything larger like a full Sunday roast, it might be more cost-effective to use an oven. Natalie Mathie, energy expert at explained: "Air fryers and microwaves are great for cooking small meals, as you don't need to waste energy heating the whole oven. '(But) there are times when the oven comes out on top – and that's usually when you're cooking a large meal with lots of elements, like a roast dinner. "Putting them in the oven all together means you're using its full capacity, making it a more cost-effective option. 'Using the air fryer to cook individual parts – like roast potatoes, veg and meat – separately would mean having the device running constantly for hours." Figures from Uswitch suggest cooking a half leg of lamb, roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings costs around 54p in a two kilowatt oven, using it for up to an hour. But cook all these three items one after the other in a 1.4 kilowatt air fryer and it'll cost around 73p - 19p more expensive. The price loophole has previously been explored by consumer champion Martin Lewis who warned microwaves, as well as air fryers, aren't always cheaper than standard ovens. He said on an episode of his BBC Radio 5 podcast: "If you're doing a jacket potato in the microwave for 10 minutes it's going to be far cheaper than doing a single jacket potato in an oven and keeping it on for an hour and a half. What is the energy price cap? "However if you were doing a full roast dinner and you were cooking many of them, that is where it's probably cheaper than putting five or six jacket potatoes in a microwave. "This is because each additional object you put in a microwave, you need to keep it on longer because a microwave just heats the individual object." It's important to note that any savings you make using an oven compared to a microwave or air fryer are based on a number of variables and you won't always save cash. For example, some items need to be boiled or cooked on the hob before being placed in the oven and finished off. In any case, it's worth figuring out the cost of running your cooking appliances so you can work out how to make savings. You can work out how much a device might cost you to run by doing a bit of simple maths. The equation is: Cost = power (kilowatt) x cost of one kWh (pence) x the length of time. You'll need to know how much you are being charged for one unit of gas or electricity though. For example, if you have a two kilowatt electric oven, under the current price cap it currently costs you 54.06p to run per hour. This is the current cost of one kilowatt of electricity (27.03p) multiplied by two. How to monitor your energy usage One quick way to monitor how much a specific appliance is costing is by using a smart plug. These gadgets can tell you how much electricity an appliance is churning through. Some also let you enter the price you pay for energy and then it works out the cost for you. Smart meters can also help you track the cost of energy by telling you how much energy you're using in real time. What energy bill help is available? There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by. If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter. This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period. If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal. Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills. But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances. For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000. British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund. You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund. EDF, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too. Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR). The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill. Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling. Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
22-04-2025
- General
- The Sun
Why your air fryer is costing you MORE to cook with than a normal oven
COOKING your Sunday roast or favourite meal in an air fryer could actually be costing you more than using an oven. Sales of air fryers have surged in recent years as the high cost of living forces households to think of cost-effective ways to cook their food. 1 But the nifty devices aren't always the cheapest option when it comes to rustling up your favourite dish. The appliances are generally best for cooking smaller meals due to their petite trays. However, for anything larger like a full Sunday roast, it might be more cost-effective to use an oven. Natalie Mathie, energy expert at explained: "Air fryers and microwaves are great for cooking small meals, as you don't need to waste energy heating the whole oven. '(But) there are times when the oven comes out on top – and that's usually when you're cooking a large meal with lots of elements, like a roast dinner. "Putting them in the oven all together means you're using its full capacity, making it a more cost-effective option. 'Using the air fryer to cook individual parts – like roast potatoes, veg and meat – separately would mean having the device running constantly for hours." Figures from Uswitch suggest cooking a half leg of lamb, roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings costs around 54p in a two kilowatt oven, using it for up to an hour. But cook all these three items one after the other in a 1.4 kilowatt air fryer and it'll cost around 73p - 19p more expensive. The price loophole has previously been explored by consumer champion Martin Lewis who warned microwaves, as well as air fryers, aren't always cheaper than standard ovens. He said on an episode of his BBC Radio 5 podcast: "If you're doing a jacket potato in the microwave for 10 minutes it's going to be far cheaper than doing a single jacket potato in an oven and keeping it on for an hour and a half. "However if you were doing a full roast dinner and you were cooking many of them, that is where it's probably cheaper than putting five or six jacket potatoes in a microwave. "This is because each additional object you put in a microwave, you need to keep it on longer because a microwave just heats the individual object." It's important to note that any savings you make using an oven compared to a microwave or air fryer are based on a number of variables and you won't always save cash. For example, some items need to be boiled or cooked on the hob before being placed in the oven and finished off. In any case, it's worth figuring out the cost of running your cooking appliances so you can work out how to make savings. You can work out how much a device might cost you to run by doing a bit of simple maths. The equation is: Cost = power (kilowatt) x cost of one kWh (pence) x the length of time. You'll need to know how much you are being charged for one unit of gas or electricity though. For example, if you have a two kilowatt electric oven, under the current price cap it currently costs you 54.06p to run per hour. This is the current cost of one kilowatt of electricity (27.03p) multiplied by two. How to monitor your energy usage One quick way to monitor how much a specific appliance is costing is by using a smart plug. These gadgets can tell you how much electricity an appliance is churning through. Some also let you enter the price you pay for energy and then it works out the cost for you. Smart meters can also help you track the cost of energy by telling you how much energy you're using in real time. What energy bill help is available? There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by. If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter. This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period. If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal. Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills. But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances. For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000. British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund. You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund. EDF, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too. Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR). The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill. Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling. Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK households face 'shock' energy letter from British Gas, EDF, OVO, E.ON and Octopus
418,000 households, are unknowingly heading towards a spring energy bill shock. Those who secured a 12-month fixed deal last year are being strongly advised to switch now to avoid being automatically transferred onto expensive standard tariffs when their plans end in May. the comparison site, has raised the alarm, cautioning that failure to switch could cost households an additional £259 annually – a sum many simply can't spare during the current cost-of-living crisis. This urgent call to action comes as 79 fixed tariffs from major suppliers including British Gas, EDF, OVO, and Octopus Energy are due to expire. READ MORE: DWP to ask PIP claimants how they spend their benefit payments in new study READ MORE: DWP told to 'halt' PIP and Universal Credit cuts for disabled people READ MORE UK faces first snow of April with flurries and -7C 'lasting three days' Elise Melville, energy expert at comments: 'Households who signed up for a fixed energy tariff last spring should get a new deal as soon as possible, as they could save significant sums compared with a standard tariff.' Ms Melville said: 'Those whose tariff started in April last year need to act now – as they can leave their current tariff up to 49 days before it ends without paying any exit fees. 'When wholesale energy prices rise, the cost of deals on the market usually increases at the same rate. But suppliers are currently fighting to win customers, and this means big savings on offer. It's unusual for such well-priced deals to be available, and we believe that households may have a relatively short window of opportunity to grab one before they disappear.' She added: 'If you're on a standard tariff, now is the time to protect yourself from upcoming price rises. Run a comparison to see what deals are available to you.' If customers don't take action, they will be moved to their supplier's standard variable tariff, which is usually priced at the highest rate allowed by the energy regulator's price cap and is one of the most expensive options available. For the average household, this could result in an overnight bill increase of nearly £260, jumping from £1,590 to £1,849 per year, unless they manage to secure one of the more affordable fixed-rate plans still on offer.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Millions told they could still save by acting now ahead of April price hikes
Price hikes totalling £74 million per month are set to hit millions of broadband and mobile customers from March 31, but experts have said its not too late to take action and avoid the hit. The April broadband increases are expected to add an average of £21.99 annually for those on inflation-linked contracts and up to £42 a year for those on newer 'pounds and pence' plans that are subject to fixed price rises set by the provider at the start of their contract. And price rises will add an average of £15.90 a year to the bills of mobile customers on inflation-linked contracts or up to £48 for those who took out a contract more recently with Ofcom's new 'pounds and pence' rules applied. However, experts at have said its not too late to avoid the price rises if you act now. More than nine million Brits are out of contract on their broadband package and 33 million on their mobile plan. These customers are free to switch providers now and avoid unnecessary price hikes. While customers can leave their contract at any time, those still locked in will likely need to pay a penalty for leaving early, which varies from provider to provider. Sky broadband customers are an exception and are currently being offered a 30-day window during which they can terminate their contract without being hit with an exit fee. For customers looking for a new broadband deal, Vodafone, Virgin Media, and Community Fibre are some of the providers freezing prices until 2026 for those who switch before the April increases. Several broadband and mobile providers commit to no price rises at all throughout the contract duration. For broadband, smaller regional providers such as Trooli, YouFibre and Hyperoptic don't increase prices mid-contract. For those looking to save on their mobile phones, customers with providers such as VOXI, Lebara, and SMARTY can rest assured that these providers are committed to not increasing their prices mid-contract. The free text that could save you hundreds of pounds on your phone bill Martin Lewis urgent 'do it right now' warning to anyone with holiday booked Martin Lewis shares 'bad news' as he warns energy bills are 'going to rise' Sabrina Hoque, telecoms expert at comments: 'For the millions of mobile and broadband customers currently out of contract, now is the time to act before the April price increases kick in. 'If you don't know when your contract ends, you can usually find this information on your bill. It only takes a minute or two to check, and it could end up saving you a significant amount in the long run. Our data shows that switching to a new broadband deal after your initial contract has ended could save you £181 a year. 'The launch of One Touch Switch means it's never been easier for broadband customers to vote with their feet and switch providers - smaller, regional broadband providers like Hyperoptic and Trooli don't raise their prices mid-contract. 'Mobile customers can also text 'INFO' to 85075 to find out if they are still in contract and any exit fees associated with leaving early. If you can switch, several SIM-only providers such as VOXI and SMARTY commit to no price rises for the duration of the contract. 'Don't get caught out by price rises that you might be able to avoid; check your contract today and see if you could escape the mobile and broadband bill sting this spring.'
