Exact temperature your fridge should be set to and how to save £570 on your energy bill

HOUSEHOLDS are looking for ways to cut down on energy this winter.

Vampire appliances can add to electric and gas bills if you're not careful - but we've come up with ways to stop that.

Your fridge can vacuum up a lot of money because you can't turn it off.

Although heating is something you can turn off to save money, your fridge should stay on 24 hours a day.

In fact, experts recommend you never turn off your fridge, as it could pose a serious risk to your health.

But there are ways to keep costs down - including setting it at the right temperature.

Experts recommend fridges to be between 2°C and 6°C and a freezer should be less than -18°C.

Having the temperature control set to those temperatures can help your fridge run more efficiently and is just one way to make sure you're not spending more than you need to.

Jessica Rawstron, smart energy expert at British Gas said: “To ensure you are not spending more than you need to on your fridge and freezer check the thermostat is set to the right temperature - you'll usually find it inside the fridge or freezer.

"A fridge should be between 2°C to 6°C and a freezer should be less than -18°C, typically -19°C to -20°C, but your user manual will tell you the exact setting it needs."

If you're buying a new fridge, it pays to pay attention to the energy efficiency rating, as you could stand to save hundreds of pounds.

Ms Rawstron said: "Choosing more energy-efficient options can be a way of making long-term savings.

"For example, choosing a D rated fridge freezer over an F rated one may cost more initially, but could save you around £570 in energy bills over its lifetime."

And it's not the only way to keep running costs down on the household essential.

How to save money on running your fridge without turning it off

There are ways to make your fridge more energy-efficient without spending any money.

Ms Rawstron said: "Regularly defrosting your current fridge and freezer keeps ice under control and keeps everything working efficiently.

"You should also keep the coils behind the fridge clean to ensure it doesn’t use more energy than it needs to."

And make sure, if you're renewing any appliances in the kitchen, to check any energy ratings of the models you're choosing.

Buying more energy-efficient options could save you more in the long run - for example, choosing a D-rated fridge freezer over an F-rated one may cost more upon purchasing, but it'll actually save you hundreds over the coming years.

Here's what else you should keep in mind:

• Let food cool down before putting it in the fridge or freezer
• Don’t leave the door open unnecessarily
• Defrost food in the fridge. The food acts as an ice pack, helping keep the fridge cool
• Avoid over-filling the fridge because the fridge has to work harder to circulate cold air
• Ensure there’s at least a 10cm gap behind your fridge to let hot air flow away more quickly

How much does it cost to run a fridge?

The exact cost of your fridge will depend on the model of the fridge, the size, any special eco settings, how you use it and how much you pay for energy.

But according to price comparison site Uswitch, the average fridge uses 166 kWh of energy per year, working out at a cost of £56 a year.

That's 0.6p per hour.

However, your costs might be higher or lower depending on if you're on a fixed tariff and when you agreed to it.

You can see how much you're paying by checking your bill.

Fridges aren't the only expensive kitchen appliance - plenty of others sometimes fall under the radar.

Make sure to try a heated clothes airer instead of a tumble dryer, for instance.

This Lidl air dryer costs just 7p to run, whereas your tumble dryer costs an average of 67p per cycle.

Read here for a few alternatives to the most expensive appliances.

Martin Lewis recently revealed the cheapest time in a day to do your washing - but there's a catch.

You can also read here on a full list of appliances you could be paid to use during the night - and which ones you shouldn't use at those times.