There are simple changes you can make which will save cash (Picture: Getty Images)
With energy and gas bills set to rise again in April, keeping the amount you use as low as possible is vital in the cost of living crisis.
It’s not only energy that’s due to cost more – other bills going up include prescriptions, broadband, water, council tax and even the price of stamps.
Some households are facing eye-wateringly large outgoings.
Certain household items do cost a lot more to run than others, but luckily there are some simple hacks which are easy to do and save money.
So here are some ideas on how you can quickly cut your energy and gas bills.
Keep a lid on it
Sounds simple, but you’ll use far less energy to heat the contents of a saucepan if you put a lid on, trapping the heat and steam in.
Yes, unless you’re really organised this means you’ll be rummaging around in the pan drawer to find one that fits, but it’s worth it.
Some estimates say this can save as much as 90% on the amount of gas or electricity you use on the hob.
Gas hobs cost around 9p per use, whereas electric hobs cost around 17p per use, which might not sound much, but over the course of a year it will add up.
Popping a lid on means you’ll need far less energy to keep the temperature up (Picture: Getty Images)
Choose the right hob ring
It’s so easy when cooking to absent-mindedly fire up the same old ring on the hob out of habit – let’s face it, we’ve all got a favourite.
But they are different sizes for a reason and choosing the smallest ring to fit your pan means you’ll still cook evenly, but use less energy.
The rings on cooker hobs vary in size for a reason (Picture: Getty Images)
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Switch to an air fryer
They’re the latest must-have accessory, but air fryers are so much more than just a phase – they save money.
Air fryers can cook everything from chunky chips and crisp roasties to meat, fish and veggies. They’re healthier – using just a drop of oil – and are cheaper than an oven.
Research by Iceland and Utilita found that an air fryer costs £52.74 per year to power, while electric and gas cookers cost about £316 and £264 a year respectively.
They cost around £100 to buy, so switching can definitely save.
But it’s worth bearing in mind that they are smaller than an oven, so if you’re regularly cooking for large numbers of people, the savings won’t be so marked.
Air fryers are much more than a gimmick (Pictures: Getty Images)
Switch the oven off early
Ovens stay hot for a while after you turn them off, so there’s no need to leave it on full blast for the entire time.
Switching off your oven a few minutes early and keeping the door shut will allow the food to continue cooking, for free!
Obviously, no-one wants food poisoning, so always ensure meals are fully cooked before eating.
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Batch cook meals
Batch cooking doesn’t just save energy and money, it frees up time, which we’re all short of.
You can double, triple or quadruple your ingredients and then freeze as individual meals.
It might seem like a lot of work, but the sight of a delicious frozen dinner which just needs a quick reheat after a long day at work will make it all worthwhile.
Meal prep often means you’ll eat more healthily and avoid a greasy take-out (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Use a slow cooker
Slow cookers are one of the most energy-efficient appliances.
According to research by energy supplier Utilita, slow cookers cost roughly 16p a day, or £59 annually to run.
They’re also quick and easy – just throw everything in, turn on, and leave for a few hours.
Time-saving slow cookers can also reduce your energy costs (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
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Use a microwave
Microwaves cost 32p an hour to run, but cook foods far quicker than that.
That said, boiling water in them instead of the kettle isn’t necessarily worth the hassle, but they’re terrific at reheating meals and much cheaper to run than a conventional oven.
Microwaves are much cheaper to use than ovens (Picture: Getty Images)
Clean your oven
Boring and time-consuming, but effective.
Clean oven door seals regularly and check them for wear and tear. This will help stop excess heat from escaping and wasting energy, and ensure your food is cooked properly too.
You’ll be glad you did it (Credits: Getty Images)
Turn off the extractor fan
Extractor fans are great at sucking out unwanted smells when cooking, but you can save money by keeping their use to a minimum. Also, dirty ones are far less efficient.
The advice is to keep your extractor fan clean, switch it on when you start cooking but only keep it running for five – 10 minutes after you finish, which should be enough time to remove any smells or fumes from the air.
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