FAMILIES are being battered by rising energy bills – but energy expert Joanna O'Loan explains how you can try and beat the hikes.
Around 22 million households will see their bills DOUBLE from Friday, April 1, when the energy price cap goes up.
The price cap, which limits the amount that suppliers can charge customers, will rise to £1,971, adding nearly £700 on average to bills.
It means that cash-strapped families are having to choose between heating and eating as costs soar.
That's on top of rising food, fuel and transport costs families have to find more cash for as a cost of living crisis spirals.
But Energy Saving Trust knowledge manager Joanna O'Loan gives her four tips on how to beat soaring energy bills.
Ms O'Loan is in charge of developing and dishing out advice to families on how to lower their costs.
She says there are a number of energy hacks you can do to keep your cash from draining out of your account as bills soar.
Appliances are driving up your bills
When it comes to rising energy bills, the first thing you need to know is how your household appliances are helping to drive costs up.
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Many gadgets are guzzling up energy – even when they are on standby mode.
They are also known as "vampire appliances" because of the way they use up a lot of electricity – and they include your computer, TV and games consoles.
Ms O'Loan says leaving them on standby could be costing you an extra £55 a year – but turning them off properly could stop you wasting money.
"Almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without changing their programming," she says.
"Check the instructions for any appliances you aren’t sure about – and you may want to think about getting a standby saver or smart plug which allows you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go."
Change the way you're washing
You might not know that the way you're washing could actually be driving up your bills.
We spend an average of seven minutes in the shower, according to Energy Saving Trust's research.
But timing your shower to four minutes could cut £35 per person a year from your energy bills, Ms O'Loan says.
That's if you also swap out one bath a week for a shower instead as well.
Understand washing machine and dishwasher settings
It can be tempting just to bung your laundry or dishes in your washing machine or dishwasher and set it off without checking the settings.
But understanding which cycles are cheapest will lower your running costs – which adds up over the year.
"Washing clothes at 30 degrees rather than at higher temperatures will save around 40% of the energy used from this appliance each year for an average household," Ms O'Loan says.
Remember to wait until you have a full load before setting your dishwasher or washing machine off too, she adds.
That could help you to reduce your usage by once cycle each week – which adds up to a £28 saving over the year.
Draught proofing hacks
Gaps in your windows and doors could be bumping your bills up.
It means that warm air is escaping out of your house – and cold air is coming in.
But spending a few pounds on a draught excluder could help you stop wasting energy.
If you're tight for cash, then stuffing old towels or socks up against gaps works as well.
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Big savings do come from getting your home professionally draught-proofed though.
"This will cost around £240, but will save you around £95 a year on your energy bills," Ms O'Loan said.
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