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The Sun
7 hours ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Hot weather appliances that are adding to your energy bills this summer – and the cheaper alternatives
SOME of your favourite hot weather appliances and gadgets could be guzzling through energy and seeing your bills shoot up this summer. Households are basking in glorious sunshine across the UK with some facing record-breaking temperatures for the second day running. A number of areas are expected to have passed the heatwave criteria this afternoon too, according to the Met Office. But while many of us rejoice at the idea of basking in the sun, plenty will be looking for ways to keep cool during the day and night. Some of those hot weather appliances designed to keep temperatures down can end up churning through energy though. USwitch has revealed just how much some of them could be costing you per hour. The full list is in the table above, but we've listed some of the most costly ones below. Aircon unit (built in) - £40 Air-con units are great at keeping you cool overnight, but are some of the most fuel-guzzling appliances out there. Under the current price cap, a 2,700 watt built in air con unit costs you a whopping 73p an hour to run. Used for just eight hours overnight that's £5.84, or £40.88 based on eight hours of use night over seven days. Aircon unit (portable) - £15 Portable aircon units work similarly to built in ones, except they are, as the name suggests, portable. They are generally cheaper to run than built in units, but still churn through your energy. Under the current price cap, a 1,000 watt unit costs around 27p to run per hour. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills Over eight hours that's £2.16, or £15.12 based on eight hours a night over seven days. Dehumidifier - £2.80 Dehumidifiers can keep you cool by sucking in moisture from the surrounding area - but be wary of the costs. A 12-litre size 185 watt unit will cost you around 5p an hour to run under the current price cap, according to Uswitch. That's 40p over eight hours or £2.80 based on eight hours of usage a day for a week. Air cooler cube - £1.28 Air cooler cubes work similarly to air conditioning units but are generally smaller and more portable. They're cheaper to run than their larger cousins as well, but leave one on for long enough and costs can still rack up. Uswitch said under the current price cap, a 75 watt model will set you back 2p an hour to run - 16p over an eight hours time period. Based on eight hours of usage a day over seven days, that's £1.28. Ceiling fan - £1.28 7 Ceiling fans work by pushing air downwards, accelerating the evaporation of sweat from your skin. But they're not exactly the cheapest appliances to run, especially if you're using them on the regular. A 75 watt model uses around 2p an hour to run, under the current price cap, or 16p over an eight hours time period. Stacked up over seven days and you'll be forking out £1.28. Desktop fan - 50p 7 There's nothing like the cool breeze from a desktop fan, but they'll eat through your energy. A 35 watt appliance costs 0.9p to run per hour, which is 7.2p over eight hours, and 50p stacked up over a week. Pedestal fan - 90p Pedestal fans, due to them being larger than desktop fans, are more costly to run per hour. Uswitch said a 60 watt model costs 1.62p to run an hour, which is 12.96p over eight hours and roughly 90p based on eight hours seven days a week. Cheaper ways to keep cool There are other effective ways to keep cool that cost absolutely nothing. Checkatrade insulation expert Lee West told The Sun earlier this week even the way you open windows can keep your home cooler. During the evening, he said, open windows on opposite sides of your property to create a cross-breeze. This so-called "night-flush ventilation" allows cooler air to circulate around your home and trapped heat inside to escape. Hanging already damp sheets in front of open windows or in the path of a fan can create a cooling effect too. Even placing your mattress directly on the floor instead of on a bed frame can keep you from overheating overnight as well. Staying safe in the sun While warmer weather can be fun, it is important to stay safe and avoid over heating - here are some other top tips to stay safe in the sun Wear clothes and sunglasses that provide sun protection The NHS website recommends wearing a hat that shades the face, neck and ears and breathable fabrics that do not let the sunlight through. Drink water Staying hydrated in the warmer weather is also important. Be sure to carry a water bottle with you if you are travelling and taking sips throughout the day. Use suncream According to the NHS webiste, adults should aim to apply around 6 to 8 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're covering your entire body. If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is not as effective If you're worried you might not be applying enough SPF30, you could use a sunscreen with a higher SPF. .
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Energy Debt with Iona Bain
Here are some handy links with more information on managing your energy debt:Here, external is a link to Citizens Advice where you can find a list of grants that are available from different energy providers. Here, external is a link to a USwitch guide on how to read you energy bill, including where to find the amount of energy you've used.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
How much does it cost to run a hot tub?
WITH summer now in full swing and the UK enjoying sizzling temperatures, you might be dreaming of getting your hands on one of the hottest garden accessories. Hot tubs are now widely available at bargain prices, but there are some added costs you need to consider before splashing out on one. 1 Aside from the initial cost, which can range anywhere from £250 to over £20,000, heating and filling a hot tub can significantly drive up the cost of your energy and water bills. You will need to hook it up to your energy supply to heat the water and activate the jets, while filling the tub usually requires over 1,000 litres of water. When it comes to your energy bills, large hot tubs typically have power ratings starting from 2kW per hour, meaning they cost 54p and hour to run, according to USwitch. If you left it running for nine hours every day that would cost you £4.86 each day, or around £34 every week. If you're planning on using the appliance in the colder months, you could end up forking out even more as it will take more energy to keep it hot against the outdoor temperature. USwitch's figures are based on the current energy price cap of £1,849 per year. However, regulator Ofgem has announced the price cap is set to decrease from July 1 to £1,720 per year for a dual fuel household paying by direct debit, based on typical use. This means the cost of running outdoor appliances such as hot tubs could go down from July. As well as added electricity costs, you've also got to fill your hot tub. Dorset Hot Tubs estimates that it will cost you around £1.50 each time you fill it up, based on roughly the 1,500-1,700 litres required. Drivers warned over common car feature that quietly causes insurance bill to spike – you'll pay more just for having it So if you're planning on filling it daily, that's an extra £10.50 every week. You'll also need to make sure you're keeping on top of maintenance and cleaning. According to trading directory Checkatrade, the average cost of a hot tub clean and service is £225, which you'll likely need to have once a year. The cost of your new hot tub will depend on a number of factors, including its size and energy efficiency, the type of pump, and how often you use it. You'll also need to think about chemicals and replacement parts such as jets and thermostat. How to cut the cost of your hot tub While running a hot tub can be expensive, there are some steps you can take to keep down the costs. Firstly, you should make sure to turn down the temperature of the water where you can, as the hotter the water is the more energy it will require. Most people like to keep their tubs between 38 and 40 degrees, but each degree lower will save you around 10% of your total cost. Make sure your cover is in good condition, as 60% of heat escapes through the surface of jacuzzis. You can also buy extra insulation to keep the heat in - an investment that could be worth it in the long run as it will help keep your energy costs down. You should also make sure you're keeping your appliance clean, as your filter will have to work twice as hard if it's dirty and becomes clogged. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers urged to write one word on car insurance to slash cost by 25 percent
Motorists could save up to 25% on premiums by tweaking just one word in their job title when applying for car insurance Drivers across the UK are being encouraged to reconsider how they describe their profession when completing car insurance forms. A simple change could save them hundreds of pounds. According to YouTuber Mick Drives Guys, simply rewording your job title could cut insurance costs by as much as 25%. The advice comes as premiums continue to soar, particularly for younger or first-time drivers. "This one is really good," Mick said in a recent video. "It can really work for literally anybody that's looking to insure a car, it doesn't have to be the young driver. That is to rephrase your job." Mick explained how he personally saved money by slightly altering his title. "So, say for example, there was a while back, I was an Operations Manager, I worked for a tech company," he said. Mick continues: "So what I did, rather than putting down Operations Manager Tech, which had really high insurance premiums for whatever reason, I guess tech guys crash cars, I changed it to Operations Manager Computer Services." The result? A surprising drop in his premium. "For whatever reason, I remember that reduced my insurance premium by like 25%," Mick added. "I think it went down from 1.6 to 1.2, a huge saving for no reason." While the job was the same, the terminology made all the difference. 'Tech and computer services are the same thing, but people just put down tech and miss out on huge savings on their car insurance,' he explained. The money-saving tip has also been backed by comparison experts at USwitch. 'You could use a different title for your job to lower the cost,' the platform said. 'A journalist could be a writer, for example, while a researcher could also be an analyst.' USwitch added that there's no one-size-fits-all solution, and some trial and error may be required. 'It's all a bit of trial and error here, though, especially as all insurers have their own definitions of professions,' they advised. In the same video, Mick urged viewers to pay attention to all the little ways they could save. 'If you're tired of spending a ton of money on car insurance, then this video is a must-watch!' he said. 'We'll dive into all the tips and tricks you need to get those rates down.' He added that the advice isn't just for beginners. "If you're a new driver, you'll wanna pay close attention," he said. "And for you driving pros, don't worry, we've got some advanced hacks to help you cut costs too." One grateful viewer shared their own experience after trying out the method. "I just applied for my first year's insurance on a 2014 Fiesta Ecoboost," they said. "Up in Liverpool, Mum as a named driver, 5000 miles a year, full comp, excess £850, managed to get it down to £1500." They'd previously been quoted an eye-watering £4500 for living in South London. "Imagine saving £400 a month to go towards car insurance on top of the cost of rent, bills, food?" they said. "I picked an excellent time to finally pass my test lol."
Wales Online
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Drivers told to put one word on car insurance form to save 25% on premiums
Drivers told to put one word on car insurance form to save 25% on premiums A YouTuber has shared a golden tip for drivers looking to slash their car insurance premiums, with the trick said to save motorists up to 25% on their annual premium Car insurance costs can be cut with this hack (Image: boonchai wedmakawand via Getty Images ) Motorists have been offered a golden tip to cut their car insurance premiums by a staggering "25 per cent," courtesy of YouTube star Mick Drives Guys. Apparently, the secret is that it's all about how you describe your job on the insurance form. Mick revealed his clever trick, stating: "This one is really good. It can really work for literally anybody that's looking to insure a car, it doesn't have to be the young driver. That is to rephrase your job." He provided an example from his own life, where he made a small change that managed to cut his bill by 25%. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . Article continues below He explained: "So say for example there was a while back I was an Operations Manager, I worked for a tech company. So what I did, rather than putting down Operations Manager Tech which had really high insurance premiums for whatever reason. I guess tech guys crash cars." He continued: "I changed it to Operations Manager Computer Services and for whatever reason I remember that reduced my insurance premium by like 25%. "I think it went down from 1.6 to 1.2, a huge saving for no reason. Tech and computer services are the same thing but people just put down tech and miss out on huge savings on their car insurance." Comparison site USwitch commented: "You could use a different title for your job to lower the cost. A journalist could be a writer, for example, while a researcher could also be an analyst." The YouTuber, who has almost 200k subscribers, remarked: "If you're tired of spending a ton of money on car insurance, then this video is a must-watch! We'll dive into all the tips and tricks you need to get those rates down. If you're a new driver, you'll wanna pay close attention. "We know how crazy expensive it can be when you're just starting out. And for you driving pros, don't worry, we've got some advanced hacks to help you cut costs too." A motorist shared their experience with Birmingham Live, saying: "I just applied for my first years insurance on a 2014 Fiesta Ecoboost. I'm 28 and currently living up north, but I was originally due to move to London this month. "My friend put in a quote for me a few months ago, for South London, in a relatively nice and quiet residential area I was looking at moving to, and got quoted about £4500". Article continues below "Up in Liverpool, Mum as a named driver, 5000 miles a year (might need to up that...), 21 days in the future, full comp, excess £850 - managed to get it down to £1500, which is honestly about the maximum I would ever want to pay. "Imagine saving £400 a month to go towards car insurance on top of the cost of rent, bills, food? ? ? ? ?". I picked an excellent time to finally pass my test lol."
