UK households are being warned to unplug five power-hungry devices that add up to £407 a year onto energy bills.

It comes as households face a further hike to bill costs from January when Ofgem’s energy price cap will rise to £1,738 per year.

Experts have warned that new energy network charges and the prospect of reforms could add extra costs to the cap, with analysts Cornwall Insight forecasting the cap may be even higher at around £1,782, or a 2.5% increase from next year.

Households are being urged to take advantage of fixed deals among suppliers as many are significantly cheaper than the predicted price cap for January, but it’s possible to save over £400 simply by unplugging some every day devices.

Chris Madikian, electrical expert at The Local Electrician, has warned households of five key appliances that add the biggest spikes to energy bills and advised how to reduce their cost.

The worst culprit for sending energy costs soaring is a washer dryer as these account for approximately 12% of the typical bill, making them by far the most energy-hungry appliance in any household.

Washer dryers have an average energy usage of 425 kWh per year due to the amount of water and electricity required to heat it, adding around £104.13 annually to bills. To save on costs, households should opt for cold water washes, run full loads, use heated clothes airers and air-dry clothes to slash energy consumption.

Tumble dryers are also costly with an average energy usage of 388 kWh/year, contributing around 11% to the typical household bill at a cost of £95.06 annually. Instead, households should make use of cheaper to run heated clothes airers, dehumidifiers or simply air-dry as much as possible to save energy.

Chest freezers come in as the third most costly household appliance with an average energy usage of 304 kWh per year, adding £74.48 annually to bills. To make the device more efficient you should regularly defrost your freezer, ensure door seals are intact, and maintain an optimal temperature of -18C.

Fridge freezers come in close behind with an average energy usage of 302 kWh per year. These appliances make up 8% of household energy bills at an annual cost of £73.99. To help reduce costs you should keep your fridge at 4C and avoid frequently opening the door to maintain efficiency.

Finally, washing machines come in as the fifth most power-hungry devices with an average energy usage of 244 kWh per year, adding £59.78 to annual bills. Washing on lower temperatures will help to cut down costs, as well as using full loads and avoiding pre-wash settings.

Together, all five of these devices add a whopping £407.44 to annual household bills. Mr Madikian said: “As energy costs continue to rise, being aware of the most energy-intensive appliances in our homes—and knowing how to use them efficiently—can lead to substantial savings.

“By making small adjustments like washing clothes in cold water or adjusting fridge temperatures, homeowners can not only lower their bills but also reduce their environmental impact. It’s all about making smarter choices with the devices we rely on every day.”