Experts debunk five energy myths ahead of October price hike

From October 1, Ofgem's latest price cap hike of 2% kicks in, potentially adding £35 annually to the average household's energy bill. Fortunately, some straightforward energy-saving steps can help balance the books and soften the blow of this increase.

Yet many people might not realise they are following widespread myths rather than genuine money-saving strategies. Specialists at Money Wellnesshave busted five of the most prevalent misconceptions about cutting energy costs at home, aiming to help families combat the looming rise and potentially slash even more from their bills.

The specialists explained: "With the upcoming energy price cap increase, a few simple energy-saving habits can make a real difference to your bills. Using timers, lowering thermostat settings, and switching off devices when not in use are easy ways to save money without compromising comfort."

Always boil a full kettle

This age-old habit wastes electricity by heating more water than you will actually use, and with the typical Brit enjoying up to three cups of tea daily, this can rapidly mount up. The specialists advised that only boiling the quantity you genuinely need could save approximately £15 to £20 annually.

Keeping your heating on low all day is more efficient

With the colder months rapidly approaching, countless households are gearing up to switch their central heating back on, yet there remains disagreement over the best approach; maintaining low heat throughout the day versus short bursts of intense warmth. The Money Wellness specialists disclosed that running your heating at a steady low level could prove more expensive than many expect.

They explained: "In reality, your boiler works harder over time to maintain that temperature, which can actually increase energy use and costs."

Rather than this approach, they suggested utilising a timer to warm your property only during necessary periods, such as early morning hours when the household is getting ready to depart or during evening hours when everyone arrives back home. This prevents heating an unoccupied house, and reducing your heating by just a couple of degrees below normal could deliver savings of approximately £100 annually.

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Lighting expenses are minimal

It is a familiar parental strategy to grumble about electricity bills when youngsters abandon lights switched on in vacant rooms, though there's validity to this concern. The specialists noted: "Leaving lights on, even for short periods, adds up over time, especially in homes with multiple rooms or when the evenings are longer.

"Switch off lights when leaving a room. Swap old bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs, which use much less electricity and last longer. Doing this across your home could save around £30 a year."

Standby mode stops energy wastage

'Phantom' and 'vampire' appliances are items that continue to consume electricity even when they're not in use. Many people think that putting them into standby mode will solve this, but only completely turning off the device will prevent it from draining electricity when not in use.

For a quick and easy disconnect, the experts suggest using power strips so you can switch off multiple devices simultaneously.

Washing machine temperatures aren't effective

Many people still hold the belief that you need a hot wash at high temperatures to properly clean your average load of laundry, but according to the experts, most modern detergents perform better at lower temperatures. Reducing the temperature on your machine can mean it uses less electricity, saving up to £30 a year.