Brits flip off Christmas lights to save cash – however consultants say it is price checking them first

As energy bills soar, families nationwide are exploring ways to reduce spending, with some even dimming their Christmas lights.

A third of Brits will be keeping an eye on their energy consumption throughout December as they typically see a spike this time of year.

In an attempt to cut back costs Brits are resorting to measures such as reducing heating and using alternative cooking appliances instead of the oven to stretch their budget further.

However, energy experts at Utilita Energy suggest that understanding the running costs of our electrical items can help us make more informed decisions about where to cut costs.

They say the key lies in knowing the running costs of household appliances, as some are pricier than others.

Christmas lights serve as a perfect example. “LED Christmas lights, which are distinguished by their built-in bulbs that cannot be removed are six times cheaper to run than the older style incandescent ones – where the bulbs can be replaced,” a spokesperson for the energy company explained.

To assist households, Utilita Energy has developed The Power Price List, detailing the running costs of 76 commonly used household appliances per minute, average use, cycle, or when left on standby.

Some 44% reckon tech gear like the telly ramps up energy bills over Christmas as the average festive home is set to binge an extra 81 hours of films and TV shows.

A substantial 62% reckon higher energy use comes from more frequent use of cooking gadgets, with nearly half playing host, OnePoll.com data reveals.

A spokesperson for the brand remarked: “When you know how much electrical items cost to run, you can make an informed decision on how long to use it for and whether you should avoid leaving it on standby.”

“Christmas doesn’t have to be so costly if homeowners are savvy and mindful with their home habits,” they added.