The summer heat doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket, as one financial guru has revealed that using a power strip instead of wall sockets can help cut costs.
Money Wellness expert Sian Westley has offered her wisdom to households battling to keep expenses low as the mercury rises. While the summer months usually mean less energy consumption, fans, fridges and other cooling appliances can quickly consume any savings made from turning off the heating.
However, the savvy money-saving expert has shared several tips on how Brits can keep their bills low despite the skyrocketing energy prices that will leave few households able to build up credit for the chillier months. One common tip is simply unplugging devices when they’re not in use, or using fewer appliances overall and braving the scorching heat, the Mirror reports.
However, Sian highlighted one key investment that could save money throughout the year. She advised: « Invest in a smart power strip for around £29.99, which cuts power to devices when they’re not in use. »
Similarly, defying the instinct to unplug everything and use fewer appliances, Sian recommended using a dishwasher, explaining: « They use less water than hand washing in the sink. »
« According to the Energy Saving Trust, hand washing accounts for 4% of the average household’s water use, whereas dishwashers makeup just 1%. Maximise the saving by completely filling your dishwasher before turning it on to reduce cost-per-wash. »
The expert strongly advised Britons to defrost their freezer during the warmer months, stating: « Ice buildup means your freezer has to work harder to regulate the temperature inside, especially if it gathers around the fan. A frost-free freezer will save money on energy bills, and you’ll be able to use every inch of space, so more room for ice creams and other summer treats. »
A simple tip that might be easier for some to implement is reducing the heat on their washing machines. While doing laundry at higher temperatures is more effective for killing germs and mould, a consistent 30 degrees for a full load can still achieve this while being energy efficient.
Sian further suggested: « Save money by reducing the temperature you wash your clothes at to 30 degrees and make sure you only wash a full load. Your clothes will be cleaned as well as they would on a hot wash, but you’ll use 40% less energy. To boost savings, take advantage of the nice weather, and dry your clothes outside for free. Dryers vacuum up energy and cost around £1.51 per cycle. »
« Make the most of outdoor living in summer and commit to restricting as much energy use as possible to off-peak hours. Off-peak hours vary depending on your supplier but they’re usually between 10pm and 8am because less energy is taken from the grid during this time, so energy providers can afford to offer cheaper rates. »
Sian offered one last piece of advice: « Take some time over summer to check what you are entitled to. Even a small award can open the door to lots of different help, such as the WaterSure scheme, which helps low-income households with high essential water use with the cost of their water bills. »
