8 home appliances adding hundreds to your energy bill - and how to save this winter

With winter just around the corner, households will soon be thinking about turning their heating on. With this comes the worry of heightened energy bills. This means looking at other ways to reduce energy bills, such as avoiding using certain appliances as much.

Energy Saving Trust has taken five everyday appliances and shared how much energy they use. As well as this, they've also shared some top tips on how to save heading into the winter months.

Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers

The energy pros said: "Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14% of a typical energy bill, making them the most energy-thirsty. The power they need to heat the water or air inside them means they use more electricity."

Make sure to check an appliance's energy rating, as an A-rated one could help you save. Choosing to wash your clothes at a lower temperature can also help to reduce energy usage, as can avoiding running appliances on half-loads.

Fridges and freezers

Fridges and freezers account for around 13% of the average household's energy bill. These appliances need to stay on all the time, so they're continually using energy to maintain a constant temperature.

The experts noted: "They're also among the longest-lasting appliances in the home. The typical fridge-freezer has a lifespan of 17 years. Just think: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for 17 years. You can see why choosing an energy-efficient model is a good idea."

TVs, laptops and games consoles

The pros continued: "Despite laptops, TVs, and games consoles consuming relatively small amounts on their own, consumer electronics account for around 6% of your energy bill.

"Switching devices off standby can help you save, but it also pays to check models' energy efficiency."

Lighting

Lighting takes up around 5% of an average home's total energy bill, with an obvious tip being to switch them off when you leave a room.

The experts added: "But you can also reduce the amount of energy you use by replacing halogen bulbs with LEDs. LEDs come in a range of shades from cool to warm, allowing you to create the lighting effect that you want for your home."

Ovens, microwaves and kettles

Around 4% of your energy bill is spent on powering kitchen appliances, including the hob, oven, kettle and microwave.

Microwaves are generally more efficient than ovens at heating food up, as they only heat the food and not the air space inside.

Try to avoid overfilling your kettle too, boiling just the water you need at any one time.