Amid soaring energy prices, many of us are looking for ways to use less and save money.
With the cost of living hitting hard, and the weather turning colder, many people are resisting turning the heating on, as well as trying other tips and tricks to cut costs where possible.
While Prime Minister Liz Truss recently announced the average household's energy usage will be capped at £2,500 from October, millions are already struggling to keep on top of their bills.
READ MORE: British Gas issues important message to customers over energy price cap increase
But some "hacks" actually do more harm than good, according to experts at Utility Bidder. The energy and utilities price comparison provider has debunked five of the biggest energy-saving myths when it comes to keeping costs down.
‘Hand washing is much cheaper than filling the dishwasher’
Despite the thought of a dishwasher using a large amount of water, a lot will use less than humans do rinsing. It mainly depends on how efficiently you utilise these techniques, so make sure to fully load your dishwasher before putting it on and consider using programs such as the eco mode - this will use less energy due to lower heating temperatures.
‘Insulating the house will be too expensive’
If you can think outside the box, insulating your home enough to keep your heating bills down doesn’t need to be an expensive job. Draught-proofing your home is one element which can be done cheaply, and materials such as rugs and old clothing can be implemented next to doors and on floorboards. Shutting curtains and blinds by the time it gets dark is also a simple yet effective way of keeping the heat in.
‘My electronic devices aren’t using energy on standby’
According to the Energy Saving Trust, British residents could save £55 a year by switching off their TV instead of opting for standby, and it's not just with the power on that these appliances use energy. Fridges and freezers are always needed so turning these off makes very little difference, but appliances like computers, media servers, and heated towel rails are rarely turned off by most households.
‘Turning the thermostat up will help heat the house faster’
Turning up the thermostat will have no bearing on how fast your room heats up. You also don’t need to turn it up to a higher temperature if it is colder outside, it will merely take longer to heat up if it is a colder day. Make sure your thermostat is not covered or blocked by household items or furniture for best performance, and keep away from other heat sources.
'Fitting a smart meter won’t save money’
Tracking energy use is becoming increasingly important to many. Smart meters are used for this purpose and come with an in-home display, allowing users to track energy usage in real time and its cost. Suppliers are also required to work with you to build the best plan for you to manage payments, whether this is prepayments or setting up a repayment plan.
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