30 April 2023 , 23:01
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The annual cost of running basic appliances including fridge freezers and TVs has rocketed by 58% in 18 months.
The eye-watering rise underlines the impact of the cost of living crisis on families up and down the country.
Consumer group Which? calculated the running costs for multiple appliances, based on standard variable electricity tariffs between October 2021 and April this year.
It found they had soared from £283 to £447, an increase of 58% or £164 a year for someone using a medium amount of energy.
The research follows the Government’s decision to axe the £400 energy discount on April 1, which had given each household a monthly £67 top-up to help with bills.
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Fridge freezers have become more expensive to run (SUNDAY MAIL)Emily Seymour, Which? energy editor, said: “Our research shows running costs for common household appliances have risen by a huge amount – putting yet another dent in household finances when so many are feeling the pressures of the cost of living crisis.”
- Which? found the annual average cost of powering an integrated fridge freezer had more than doubled from £62.19 to £139.90. American freestanding models cost £211.84 to run, up from £103.07.
- A washing machine with a 9kg capacity now costs £77.47 a year to use, up from £49.
- Meanwhile while the bill for using a heat pump tumble dryer has leapt from £43.95 to £69.49 .
- Dishwashers used to get through £60 of electricity every 12 months, but now use £94.86 worth.
- On average, a built-in single electric oven costs £77.02 per year to run, a jump from £48.71.
- And the cost of using a 40-43 inch TV has risen to £30.15 from £19.07.
Earlier this month the cost-of-living crisis made its way to the breakfast table as popular cereal brands fell victim to shrinkflation.
Families were once able to buy a “big” box of Kellogg’s Coco Pops for £3 – but the new “mega” size has three fewer servings and is £1 dearer.
A standard pack of Shreddies is 45g lighter than it used to be but will set you back an extra 95p.
Cereal prices have also increased recently (Getty Images)While 750g of Fruit ’n Fibre used to cost £3, shoppers now pay 95p more for 50g less.
And before the weekend it was revealed thousands of Universal Credit claimants could miss out on getting the £301 cost of living payment because they broke DWP rules, plunging more people into trouble.
Under the current DWP rules, households will not be eligible for the first instalment of the £900 cost of living payment if they have a "nil award" during the qualifying period.
The qualifying period for the first payment is between January 26 and February 25.
A nil award is where your Universal Credit amount is reduced to zero and you can be given a nil award for several reasons.