Experts have warned households across the UK over one common mistake made that could be adding hundreds of pounds to their energy bill.

With fuel prices at an all-time high and the price of heating a home or business too much for many, the experts have warned over one mistake making this issue worse.

The experts over at Bionic have warned not taking action over this problem could potentially see you lose out on hundreds of pounds a year in the long run.

Experts reveal the one mistake costing you hundreds of pounds more in your energy bill

Hereford Times: (PA) Expert reveal one mistake that could increase your energy bills(PA) Expert reveal one mistake that could increase your energy bills (Image: PA)

The experts say that holding onto older appliances that are well past their shelf life could lead to more being paid in energy bills amid the cost of living crisis.

Contrary to the popular idea of not buying new appliances to save money, some households could be spending more, in the long run, using inefficient utilities.

The price of powering these household items increases over time as they become less efficient.

The experts say using older models of fridges or washing machines could make you use at least 1000 kilowatt hour (kWh) of extra energy per year.

Newer models are more energy efficient, something that can be checked by looking at the appliance's efficiency rating.

Those with a green rating are the gold standard. Appliances may also have faults present that make them more expensive such as a tear on a fridge's rubber seal.

Buying new appliances may cost a lot, to begin with, but older appliances can waste around £300 on energy a year.

Hereford Times: (Canva) Older models of dishwasher could dramatically increase your energy bill(Canva) Older models of dishwasher could dramatically increase your energy bill (Image: Canva)

Of the findings, Les Roberts, business comparison expert at Bionic, said: “An effective energy-saving tip is to look at the appliances you use most, like fridges, washing machines and boilers, and consider their age and condition. If you’re not sure how long you’ve had them, it’s worth digging out receipts or bank statements to check.

“If your appliance has gone over the average lifespan of the product, it may be worth considering upgrading to a more energy-efficient model. Although it’ll come with an initial cost, it should ultimately save you money in the long run.”

The average lifespan of common household appliances in the UK

  • Fridge/Freezer - 10-20 years
  • Washing Machine - 10-13 years
  • Tumble Dryer - 10-15 years
  • Dishwasher - 10 years
  • Boiler - 10-15 years

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