I’m an energy expert – four things you need to know to stop bills rising

FAMILIES are being battered by rising energy bills - but energy expert Joanna O'Loan explains how you can try and beat the hikes.

Around 22 million households will see their bills DOUBLE from Friday, April 1, when the energy price cap goes up.

The price cap, which limits the amount that suppliers can charge customers, will rise to £1,971, adding nearly £700 on average to bills.

It means that cash-strapped families are having to choose between heating and eating as costs soar.

That's on top of rising food, fuel and transport costs families have to find more cash for as a cost of living crisis spirals.

But Energy Saving Trust knowledge manager Joanna O'Loan gives her four tips on how to beat soaring energy bills.

Ms O'Loan is in charge of developing and dishing out advice to families on how to lower their costs.

She says there are a number of energy hacks you can do to keep your cash from draining out of your account as bills soar.

Appliances are driving up your bills

When it comes to rising energy bills, the first thing you need to know is how your household appliances are helping to drive costs up.

Many gadgets are guzzling up energy - even when they are on standby mode.

They are also known as "vampire appliances" because of the way they use up a lot of electricity - and they include your computer, TV and games consoles.

Ms O'Loan says leaving them on standby could be costing you an extra £55 a year - but turning them off properly could stop you wasting money.

"Almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without changing their programming," she says.

"Check the instructions for any appliances you aren’t sure about – and you may want to think about getting a standby saver or smart plug which allows you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go."

Change the way you're washing

You might not know that the way you're washing could actually be driving up your bills.

We spend an average of seven minutes in the shower, according to Energy Saving Trust's research.

But timing your shower to four minutes could cut £35 per person a year from your energy bills, Ms O'Loan says.

That's if you also swap out one bath a week for a shower instead as well.