UPDATE: Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has urgently warned households about a ‘demon appliance’ that is drastically increasing energy bills as winter approaches. In his latest podcast on BBC Radio 5, Lewis highlighted the tumble dryer as the primary culprit, costing families around £1 per load.
This warning comes as new figures reveal that UK families are entering winter with a staggering £780 million in debt to energy suppliers, the highest amount in eight years. The Uswitch survey indicates the number of households in arrears has surged by 46%, jumping from 2.4 million last year to 3.5 million this year.
As energy costs rise, Lewis urges immediate action. “Do you know what the real ‘demon appliance’ is in most people’s houses? Tumble dryers,” he stated, advising users to dry clothes outdoors or utilize airers to minimize usage and save on costs. For those using dehumidifiers, he confirmed they consume less wattage than tumble dryers, making them a more cost-effective option.
“Dehumidifiers take water out of the air rather than use heating and they’re much lower wattage appliances,” said Lewis, responding to a caller concerned about rising damp issues in his flat.
The situation is dire for many households. According to the latest data from Ofgem, the total debt owed to energy companies has skyrocketed to over £4 billion, reflecting an increase of more than £750 million compared to last year. Alarmingly, 16% of homes with an income below £20,000 are already in debt to energy suppliers.
Lewis shared actionable tips to combat these rising bills, including installing reflective panels behind radiators to optimize heat retention, and switching off radiators in unused rooms to avoid wasting energy. “Changing the flow rate on your boiler can cut gas bills by over 9%,” he noted.
Additionally, the Uswitch survey revealed the average household now owes £223, up 29% from last year’s £173. The average energy credit has also declined from £128 to below £100 for the first time since the energy crisis began, putting many families at risk this winter.
Ben Gallizzi, an energy spokesman at Uswitch, expressed grave concern over the rising energy debts. “It’s deeply concerning to see household energy debt has soared to an eight-year high, indicating many homes may soon face shocking bills,” he stated.
As temperatures drop, Gallizzi advises households to prepare for increased energy consumption. “For those paying via direct debit, it’s ideal to have a cushion of about two months’ worth of energy credit,” he added. He urged anyone struggling to pay their bills to contact their suppliers immediately to avoid further debt.
With energy prices soaring and millions facing financial strain, the advice from Lewis is clear: act now to minimize usage of energy-draining appliances and explore cost-saving measures to safeguard against the winter energy crisis.
