ENERGY bills are expected to soar later this year, but across the summer it's usually easier to keep them low.
Despite this, some gadgets and appliances used when the weather is warmer could see your costs rack up.
With the second heatwave this summer upon us, it's important to know if you have anything in your home that's upping your bills unnecessarily.
As energy bills and inflation remain high, we reveal the six gadgets and appliances used in a heatwave that could cost you hundreds a year.
Air con
It's no surprise air conditioning can set you back financially.
They cost around £1,000 to install per unit and from then on running them works out at around £140 a month.
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That, however, is if you use it for eight hours a day.
And heatwaves in the UK are usually few and far between so you're unlikely to spend this amount.
Electric fans
While using an electric fan is cheaper than installing and running an air conditioning unit, they can still eat into your income.
Running a 40 watt fan for 12 hours a night will cost you around 23.5p.
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Of course, the exact costs will depend on your energy tariff and what type of device you have.
But youcan use a basic sum to work out just how much you might spend:
Cost = power (kilowatt) x time (hour) x cost of 1 kWh (pence).
Therefore, at 23.5p a night, it would cost you £7.28 if you had it on for 12 hours a day for a full month.
Electric showers
There's nothing quite like a cold shower at the end of a long day's work.
And mental health guru Wim Hoff recommends them to wake your body up in the morning.
But you might want to be careful not to have too many in the hot heat.
According to Uswitch.com, the average household uses their electric shower for 1.5 hours a week, which will cost about £3.10.
Cutting your shower to four minutes could see the average household's energy costs fall by £70 a year, the Energy Saving Trust estimates.
And if you're on a meter, it would see your water bills reduce as well.
Drinks fridge
We've all been there. You've invited friends and family over for a summer BBQ but you've got nowhere to put the drinks.
And drinks fridges can be a handy addition to your list of household appliances.
But according to Uswitch, they can add unwanted costs to your bills.
The price comparison site found a small drinks fridge that holds 12 bottles or 38 cans will cost about £36 a year to run, if it's consistently switch on.
So it's best to only turn on it on the same day you're due to use it, and turn it off when you're finished with it and that'll keep your bills down.
Outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting can add a pretty touch to any back garden, but Loop, an energy saving app, said they can be an unwanted expense to run.
It said keeping just two 60watt outside lights on for 10 hours a night could add £125 a year to your energy bills.
One thing that can help you cut back on this cost is to buy energy efficient lights.
Not only do they save on electricity, but they last much longer and means landfills aren't filled up with as many finished bulbs.
Smart speaker
Whatever your choice of genre, music can add a bit of fun and relaxation to any party or gathering.
But be careful, as smart speakers are some of the most expensive devices to leave on standby, according to Utilita.
The typical Alexa device is relatively inexpensive to run, but it uses up nearly as much when left on standby.
That adds an extra £4.90 a year onto your energy bill if you leave it plugged in but not in use for 24 hours a day.
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So while it might not sound like a lot, by simply switching it off after use you could save on the pennies.
On top of these gadgets and appliances, we spoke to a money-saving expert who revealed the five devices in your kitchen pushing up your energy bills.
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