Expert has five swaps to slash your energy bill this winter

The temperature drops and the energy bills go up. In the cold months we use energy-hungry appliances more and so spend more money on electricity and gas.

While there’s no getting around the need to stay warm, there is a lot you can do to become more economical at home this winter. It involves using particular appliances much less, or better still, getting rid of them and using more cost-effective alternatives.

Energy expert Llewellyn Kinch, CEO and co-founder of MakeMyHouseGreen, said: “Winter can be hard on the pocket because we use so much more expensive energy on heat and light. And with the ongoing global uncertainty around energy and energy costs. it makes a lot of sense to use less of it. “It may seem like spending a lot on energy in winter is unavoidable, but by replacing certain energy-hungry appliances with more cost-effective alternatives, you can lower costs considerably.”

Here, Llewellyn reveals how to cut energy costs this winter by finding alternatives to certain domestic appliances that do the trick just as well – or better.

Five 'energy gobblers' you can replace

“These are the specific household items that cost a lot to use in winter and the alternatives I recommend that will help you take control of your energy bills,” said Llewellyn. “The alternatives will usually be better for the environment, too.”

Tumble dryer : This energy-eater can consume a whopping 3kWh of electricity/73.5 pence per hour (running costs vary depending on the model you’re using and energy supplier).

Alternative: Air-dry your clothes for free. Harness the free power of nature by air-drying your clothes on drying racks – or hang them on already-heating radiators to dry them.

Cooker oven : An average domestic electric cooker oven typically uses 2,000 to 3,000 watts per hour. If your oven only uses 2,000 watts per hour (2kWh) and you use it for one hour at a cost of £0.29 per kWh, your calculation will be: 2kWh × £0.29 × one hour = £0.58 per hour. Most families use their cooker every day in winter. A Christmas turkey can take six hours to oven cook.

Alternative: Swap your traditional oven for the increasingly popular air-fryer, using around 1kWh. This can halve your oven cooking energy bills.

Water kettle : Fancy a cuppa? The average electric kitchen kettle uses about 1.8 kWh. As of October 1, 2024, the cost of electricity in the UK is 24.50 pence per kilowatt-hour (kWh). So while making one cuppa isn’t expensive, making tea or coffee for several people several times a day can mount up, big time.

Alternative: Reduce your reliance on the electric kettle by heating water on a gas stove. It’s a little slower at heating water than a kettle, but it’s far cheaper.

Electric hob: An electric hob eats up about 1.7 kWh, or 41.65 pence per hour.

Alternative: Upgrade to an induction cooktop for faster and more energy-efficient cooking. While the initial cost might be higher, the long-term savings make it a wise investment.

Vacuum cleaner: The average carpet and floor vacuum cleaner costs about 47p per hour to use. That sucks.

Alternative: They did this before electricity and you can do it now. Using a dustpan and brush instead of a vacuum cleaner gives you a chance to practise your stretching, too. You’ll clean up.

Llewellyn said: “Creating a degree of energy independence for ourselves in today’s world makes so much sense, and most people would benefit from saving on their energy bills in winter. That’s why looking at the alternatives makes a lot of sense.

“Of course you may not have the space or facility to air-dry your washing, and you may not use an oven at all, or can’t afford to upgrade your hob to an induction cooktop; but take my suggestions on board if possible and apply what you can.

“You can also use my suggestions to stimulate thought about how else you can save money on energy at home. If you really look at the way you’re using energy in winter, you’ll see that there are numerous ways to save money here and there that all add up to real-world saving on your winter energy.”