Personal finance expert Martin Lewis has issued a critical warning to UK households, identifying a single 'demon appliance' that is significantly driving up energy costs as bills continue to soar with the colder weather.
The Soaring Debt Crisis
This warning comes against a bleak financial backdrop. A recent survey by Uswitch has revealed that families are entering the winter season shouldering a colossal £780 million in debt to their energy suppliers. This is the highest level of debt recorded in eight years.
The comparison platform found the number of households in debt to their supplier has skyrocketed by 46%, rising from 2.4 million last year to 3.5 million this year. The average amount owed per household is now £223, a sharp 29% increase from last year's figure of £173.
The 'Demon Appliance' and Cost-Effective Alternatives
Speaking on his BBC Radio 5 podcast, Martin Lewis pinpointed the culprit. "Do you know what the real 'demon appliance' is in most people's houses," he asked, "the one that you don't want to use because it's really expensive? Tumble dryers."
He highlighted that running a tumble dryer costs approximately £1 per cycle. To combat this, he urged people to dry clothes on an airer outside whenever possible to shorten dryer use or avoid it completely. For those drying indoors, he suggested a dehumidifier as a more cost-effective solution due to its lower wattage.
This advice was reinforced during a live call with a listener named Rob, who reported damp issues from indoor drying. Lewis confirmed that a dehumidifier, which extracts water from the air, would be cheaper than using standard heating to combat dampness and result in lower electricity bills.
Further Tips to Slash Heating Costs
Lewis also shared several other strategies to reduce energy expenditure this winter. He recommended installing reflective panels behind radiators on external walls to prevent heat from escaping through the walls. For a budget option, he noted that tin foil could work, albeit less effectively.
He also advised households to turn off radiators in unused rooms and to check that their TV is on a low-energy setting. Furthermore, he suggested being a 'draft detector' by walking around the house to find and seal drafts. For those with combi boilers, he revealed that changing the flow rate can cut a gas bill by over 9% without a noticeable difference in comfort.
The Uswitch survey underscored the precarious situation for many, showing that the average energy credit held by bill-payers has plummeted to £98, falling below £100 for the first time since the energy crisis began. Alarmingly, over two million low-income families have no energy credit stored for winter.
Ben Gallizzi, an energy spokesman at Uswitch, expressed deep concern over the soaring debt and urged those struggling to contact their energy supplier as soon as possible for help and support.
