Little-known fridge cleaning trick that could save cash on your energy bills – and it costs just 40p
CLEANING is one of those jobs no one really enjoys doing, but sprucing up your fridge could actually save you cash.
That’s because if you neglect cleaning certain appliances, it’s not just unhygienic, but it can be costly too.
With energy bills rising by £149 annually for the average household at the beginning of this month, we’re all looking for ways to save.
And the key to saving cash could be giving your fridge a good scrub.
But only a fifth of households clean their fridge just twice a year, according to Lakeland’s Trends Report.
Some 18% of households clean their fridge twice a year, while 16% do it on an “ad hoc” basis only when it becomes noticeably dirty.
But kitchen experts actually advise that you should clean your fridge after every big supermarket shop.
Not only will this prevent bacteria from lurking, it can also help it to run more efficiently.
Simply cleaning and dusting the coils at the back of your fridge can slash energy consumption by up to 25%, according to Which?.
This is because dust on the coils can prevent the fridge from cooling properly.
You can vacuum away the dust and dirt to get your fridge freezer working more efficiently again which should bring down your energy usage.
You can prevent dirt and grime from clogging the coils by using reusable food covers to stop spills from opened packets or leftovers.
Covermate elasticated covers cost just £3.49 for a pack of eight from Lakeland. Or Tesco sells three reusable silicone lids for £3.
If you do have a spillage, it’s important to make sure that you clean it up straight away.
Flash kitchen cleaning spray costs at little as 40p at Morrisons.
Of course, it’s important to compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Supermarkets change their prices all the time, sometimes multiple times daily, so it’s worth checking you’re getting the best price.
You can use websites like Trolley to see how the major supermarket’s compare in terms of price on any number of goods.
How do I calculate my energy bill?
BELOW we reveal how you can calculate your own energy bill.
To calculate how much you pay for your energy bill, you must find out your unit rate for gas and electricity and the standing charge for each fuel type.
The unit rate will usually be shown on your bill in p/kWh.The standing charge is a daily charge that is paid 365 days of the year – irrespective of whether or not you use any gas or electricity.
You will then need to note down your own annual energy usage from a previous bill.
Once you have these details, you can work out your gas and electricity costs separately.
Multiply your usage in kWh by the unit rate cost in p/kWh for the corresponding fuel type – this will give you your usage costs.
You’ll then need to multiply each standing charge by 365 and add this figure to the totals for your usage – this will then give you your annual costs.
Divide this figure by 12, and you’ll be able to determine how much you should expect to pay each month from April 1.
Other tips to cut fridge freezer costs
If you don’t defrost the freezer compartment in your fridge regularly, it could add significantly to your bills.
The frost buildup increases the amount of work your freezer’s motor has to do.
And if the motor is working harder, then this means it’s using more energy.
You can chip away at any build-up once it starts to look a little glacial inside and then your energy bill won’t have to take such a hit.
It’s also important to clean the condenser coils on the back of the appliance, as dust on the coils can prevent the fridge from cooling properly.
Replace damaged door seals to ensure cold air cannot escape and be wasted and let food cool down completely before refrigerating.
New seals are often available online for £30 to £100.
If you’re looking to replace an old model with a new eco-friendly version you could also save on your energy bills each year.
It’s worth shopping around to make sure you’re getting the best model at the best price if you decide to go down this road.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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