With energy bills remaining high and this month marking the end of the Energy Bill Support Scheme, many will be looking for ways to cut costs.
Small swaps can mount up to make a big difference, with a little know kettle trick a potential money saver. On average, we boil the kettle more than four times per day, so doing it more cost effectively can make a difference to that dreaded bill at the end of the month.
Experts at AO.com have shared a little know fact that may be causing you to spend more money than necessary on your energy, explaining that a hack that costs just 60p can shave extra cash off your next bill.
Having a high level of limescale in your kettle can mean it takes longer to boil, thereby using more energy,
And in areas of hard waters, limescale buildup can be a real problem. It means that descaling your kettle regularly can actually save you cash on bills.
Thea Whyte, kettle expert at AO.com, explained that this process is both simple and cheap.
“This can be achieved either by purchasing a dedicated descaler product or for a more cost-effective solution, simply by using a homemade mixture of half white vinegar and half water or a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda with two cups of water", the expert explained.
“Leave the mixture in the kettle for at least half an hour (ideally overnight), and then empty it and boil a full kettle of fresh water before emptying it again. You can use a dry cloth to wipe down the inside and remove any remaining traces of limescale.
“Many households have white vinegar as a cleaning store cupboard essential and bicarbonate of soda can be picked up at the supermarket for as little as 60p, making this cheap hack an easy and cost-effective way to help bring overall energy bill costs down", she added.
Descaling your kettle regularly, every couple of months ideally or whenever you notice a build-up of limescale, can help your appliance working as efficiently as possible.
Choosing a kettle with a limescale filer can help, preventing build-up and in term helping you avoid using unnecessary energy due to longer boiling times.
Thea Whyte added: "Modern kettles also have a rapid boil function, which heats water faster as well as a ‘keep warm’ setting, which saves you from having to boil the kettle again.
“These simple, every day changes will provide the peace of mind that you’re running your household as efficiently as possible, helping reduce energy bills and improve the efficiency of your kitchen appliances.”
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