Four tips to help curb the cost of running essential appliances and keep bills down

THE cost of household bills has jumped this month as price rises hit across the board.

However, a few steps can help curb the cost of running essential appliances.

Follow these tips to save on and water bills . . . 

STAND-OFF: Laptops, TVs and games consoles account for around six per cent of , according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Simply switching devices off standby can save around £45 each year.

PUSH THE BUTTON: Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble driers are typically the most energy-hungry appliances.

Heading into you can dry more clothes outside.

On dishwasher and washing machines use the eco setting (normally at 30C), using less energy and water.

Helind Morais, of , said: “What some people don’t realise is that most items can be washed on an eco-cycle setting.

“Hot washes can be saved for items such as bedding, towels and sportswear, as these are most likely to host more . ”;;

HAVE YOUR FILL: Make sure that you wait to run both the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads rather than turning them on half full.

This should help cut down on the amount of cycles you are doing and therefore curb bills.

But be careful not to overload as this can mean clothes or crockery are not properly cleaned.

In a washing machine make sure there is space between the top of the load and the top of the drum — you should be able to fit a hand between.

FOOD PREP: Try to avoid overfilling your kettle, so you only use the water — and energy to heat it — you need.

An easy way to do this is to fill your cup with water and tip into the kettle before boiling.

Microwaves are more efficient than ovens for heating food up, while air fryers use less energy to cook meals.

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