State pensioners urged to switch off seven devices for instant £301

As we head towards December and with it the deep winter and Christmas season, state pensioners who've lost their £300 Winter Fuel Allowances have been told of handy ways to save a stack of cash on their energy bills before the New Year arrives.

The Energy Saving Trust has a host of tips on its website, with savings from £7 a year to £80. The tips and tricks from the energy-saving platform comes as th Ofgem price cap continus to be massively high, at a staggering £1717 for households.

On top of this, state pensioners have cruelly had their £300 Winter Fuel Payments snatched away from them by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under new eligibility and criteria requirements imposed by the new Labour Party government.

READ MORE Households waking up to £130 Cost of Living payments in bank accounts today

The new price cap will come into effect from January 1. The Energy Price Cap rose by 10% on 1 October, to £1,717 a year for a typical dual-fuel household paying by Direct Debit. Bear in mind that each Price Cap only last three months, and the Cap is predicted to rise slightly in January 2025.

Turn TV off - £45

You can save around £45 annually just by going round the house and by doing so. Almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. That said, some satellite and digital TV recorders may need to be left plugged in so they can keep track of any programmes you want to record.

Dishwashers - £35

On the subject of appliances, the Energy Saving Trusts says washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14% of a typical energy bill, making them the most energy thirsty. It probably doesn’t make economic sense to ditch your existing machine but, when you need a replacement, check the energy rating.

For example, an A-rated 12-place dishwasher costs £35 a year to run. That’s half as much as a G-rated equivalent appliance.

Draught proof - £80

The Energy Savings Trust says, unless your home is new, you will lose some heat through draughts around doors and windows, gaps around the floor, or through the chimney. Professional draught-proofing of windows, doors and blocking cracks in floors and skirting boards can save around £80 on annual energy bills.

Getting an expert in can cost a fair bit, meaning it could take longer to recoup the money.

Lights - £7

Turning your lights off when you are not using them or when you leave a room can save around £7 a year. The savings are even more if you invest in energy efficient bulbs.

Washing machine - £24

30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures can save an average £24 a year. Also consider reducing your washing machine use by one run per week for a year.

Dryer - £50

Drying clothes on racks inside can save you about £50 a year. Another option is to invest in a heated clothes airer. They generally cost anything from a few pence to more than 30p an hour worth of electricity to run.

Showers - £60

Limiting your shower time to just four minutes could save a typical household £60 a year.