As the UK braces for colder weather and darker days, pensioners are advised to reconsider their use of energy-hungry kitchen gadgets.
The warning comes on the back of a controversial decision by Labour to cut the £300 Winter Fuel Allowance in September, leaving millions of elderly residents with little choice but to find ways to reduce energy consumption in their homes.
With winter fast approaching, pensioners are being urged to reconsider their reliance on certain household appliances that are particularly costly to run.
A recent study by the Office for National Statistics and the Energy Saving Trust has highlighted the true cost of running kitchen gadgets and household appliances – and the results are staggering.
Kettles, hobs, microwaves and ovens can significantly contribute to rising energy costs – with some costing up to £2.72 per hour to operate.
As the UK braces for colder weather and darker days, pensioners are advised to reconsider their use of energy-hungry kitchen gadgets amid soaring winter fuel bills
These seemingly small daily expenses can contribute to soaring energy bills, especially during the colder months when demand typically rises.
The six appliances pensioners are urged to cut back on, or pull from the socket when not in use, this winter include: hobs, air fryers, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, grills and ovens, and kettles.
According to the study, hobs can set homeowners back 37p for each ring used per hour.
Meanwhile, air fryers and microwaves both cost around 26p per hour to run.
Pensioners are advised to reduce hoovering their homes this winter, as vacuum cleaners cost 18p per hour to run.
The third most expensive appliance to run happens to be the kettle, which will set brew-lovers back 67p per hour, according to the study.
For those who regularly make hot drinks four or five times a day, an electric kettle is usually powered for 20 minutes a day when boiled throughout the day – resulting in an eye-watering yearly cost of £81.97.
Grills and ovens are the fourth on the list, racking up around 54p per hour.
Pensioners are advised to reduce hoovering their homes this winter, as vacuum cleaners cost 18p per hour to run
According to Power NI, ovens and grills are used for an hour per day, on average, over the course of a year, resulting in an extra £196.74 each year in electricity bills.
When it comes to the cheapest appliance to run in terms of per-hour cost, extractor fans are the cheapest appliance to run at just £0.002 an hour, which adds up to 67p per year.
In light of the findings, Christopher White, at Vaccum Wars, has now issued a stark warning to homeowners.
Speaking to Birmingham Live, White said: ‘The findings from this study highlight that certain household appliances, particularly those used frequently for daily tasks, are some of the most expensive to run in the UK.
‘This is especially impactful given the dominance of such appliances in households. These small costs add up over time, creating a significant financial burden for households.
Meanwhile, air fryers and microwaves both cost around 26p per hour to run
White continued, offering practical advice to pensioners on how to reduce the impact of high energy consumption.
He said: ‘Encouraging more efficient use of appliances, investing in energy-saving models, and adopting alternative methods for everyday tasks could all contribute to lowering energy consumption and ultimately, bringing down household bills.’
‘Additionally, increased awareness about the best times to use high-energy appliances, such as during off-peak hours, could reduce costs.’
He urges all pensioners to check whether they are eligible for pension credit, something he often reminds his fans is under-claimed.