A little-known fridge cleaning trick that can save you money on your electricity bill - The Sun

Cleaning is one of those tasks that no one enjoys doing , but repairing your refrigerator can save you money.

In fact, neglecting to clean certain appliances is not only unhygienic but can also be expensive.

Cleaning your refrigerator more often can save you money on your utility bills. Photo credit: Getty

With energy bills for the average household rising by £149 a year earlier this month , we're all looking for ways to save.

And the key to saving money may be cleaning your refrigerator well.

However, according to the Lakeland Trends Report, only one-fifth of households clean their refrigerators just twice a year.

Around 18% of households clean their refrigerator twice a year, while 16% only do this "ad hoc" when it is visibly dirty.

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But kitchen experts recommend cleaning the refrigerator after every purchase in the large supermarket.

This not only prevents bacteria from hiding in it, but also helps it work more efficiently.

According to Which? Simply cleaning and dusting the coils at the back of your refrigerator can reduce energy consumption by up to 25%.

This is because dust on the coils can prevent the refrigerator from cooling properly.

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You can vacuum out dust and dirt to get your fridge freezer working more efficiently again, which should reduce your energy consumption.

You can prevent debris from clogging the coils by using reusable food lids to prevent spills from open packages or leftover food.

You're storing your milk incorrectly and it should never reach the fridge door, says expert, that's where it should stay

Covermate stretch covers from Lakeland are just £3.49 in a pack of eight. Or Tesco is selling three reusable silicone lids for £3.

If something spills, it is important that you clean it up immediately.

Flash Kitchen Cleaner Spray is just 40p at Morrisons .

Of course, it's important to shop around to make sure you're getting the best deal.

Supermarkets change their prices constantly, sometimes even several times a day. So it's worth checking to see if you're getting the best price.

You can use sites like Trolley to see how major supermarkets compare in terms of prices for different products.

How do I calculate my energy bill?

BELOW we reveal how you can calculate your own energy bill.

To calculate how much you'll pay on your energy bill , you'll need to know your standard price for gas and electricity, as well as the fixed price for each type of fuel.

The unit price is usually stated on your invoice in p/kWh. The fixed price is a daily rate paid 365 days a year, regardless of whether or not you use gas or electricity.

You will then need to record your own annual energy consumption on a previous bill.

Once you have this information, you can calculate your gas and electricity costs separately.

Multiply your consumption in kWh by the unit cost in p/kWh for the corresponding fuel type; This will give you your usage costs.

You then need to multiply each continuous charge by 365 and add this number to your total consumption; This will give you your annual costs.

Divide this number by 12 and you can determine how much you will have to pay each month starting April 1st.

More tips for reducing refrigeration and freezing costs

If you don't defrost your refrigerator's freezer compartment regularly, your bills can increase significantly.

Frost buildup increases the amount of work your freezer motor has to do.

And when the engine works harder, that means it uses more energy.

You can remove all the buildup once it looks a little frosty inside and your energy bill won't be affected as much.

It is also important to clean the condenser coils on the back of the unit as dust on the coils can prevent the refrigerator from cooling properly.

Replace damaged door seals to ensure cold air cannot escape and be wasted, and allow food to cool completely before refrigerating.

New stamps are usually available online for between £30 and £100.

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If you want to replace an older model with a new eco-friendly version, you can also reduce your energy costs each year.

If you decide to go this route, it's worth shopping around to make sure you're getting the best model at the best price.

Do you have a money problem to solve? Contact us by email at money-sm@news.co.uk .

Additionally, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

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