Using your kettle at certain times during the day – along with your tumble dryer – could be adding to your energy bills significantly, an expert has claimed
Tweaking kettle habits could save you significantly on your energy bills(Image: Getty)
Despite Ofgem’s decision to reduce the energy price cap from April, households are still bracing for hefty bills. As many seek ways to trim expenses without compromising comfort, an energy specialist has suggested that significant savings can be achieved through changing some minor daily habits.
Justin Nielsen, an energy expert at Wolf River Electric, believes that by altering just two routines, households could potentially save over £170 annually on their bills. These changes relate to the use of the kettle and tumble dryer. Justin stated: “People often assume savings have to be drastic to matter. But when you break down how much energy everyday appliances use, some very normal habits turn out to be surprisingly expensive over a year.”
Making tea is a daily ritual in many homes, but it’s common for people to boil the kettle several times a day without considering the volume of water used. Justin explained: “A typical UK kettle is rated at about 3kW. Every time you boil it, you are using a noticeable amount of electricity very quickly.”
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Given current electricity prices, each full boil costs approximately 3-4p. Whilst this may not seem costly in isolation, many individuals waste energy by boiling more water than necessary, reports the Express.
The expert further noted: “Overfilling the kettle by even a mug or two is incredibly common. If you’re wasting around 250ml of water per boil and you boil the kettle five times a day, that wasted energy alone can add up to roughly £35 to £40 a year.”
When families reboil water that’s already been heated and cooled down, the yearly expense can easily hit £60 to £70 from kettle usage alone.
The solution is straightforward: people are encouraged to only boil the amount they actually need. Most kettles feature measurement markings for precisely this purpose. Justin also noted that regularly descaling your kettle helps maintain its efficiency.
Another practice that could see money literally going down the drain is excessive tumble dryer use, especially during winter months. Justin highlighted that tumble dryers rank among the most power-hungry appliances in any home.
A single cycle can cost anywhere from 56p to £1.12 at current energy prices. He added: “If a household runs five dryer loads a week, that can amount to anywhere from £145 to nearly £300 a year.
“A lot of people run the dryer for half-loads, or for items that could easily air-dry. Cutting out just two unnecessary dryer cycles per week could save around £100 a year on its own.”
In some cases, abandoning the tumble dryer completely is the wisest choice, with families advised to select a higher spin setting on their washing machine to help garments dry more quickly.
