SUMMER is finally here and people around the country are spending more time outdoors to enjoy longer sunny days.
Hosting gatherings in your garden can be fun and cost-effective, but some popular appliances could cost you up to £840 this summer.
Research carried out by eBay Ads UK found that since the coronavirus pandemic, 50% of Brits say they use their gardens more frequently.
A third of those surveyed admitted they wanted to invest in their outdoor space by buying new furniture and appliances.
Some of the most popular appliances Brits love during the summer are BBQs, patio heaters, and hot tubs.
But different types of appliances all come at a cost and could make your bills go up in the summer months.
To help you plan your finances this summer, the Energy Saving Trust has shared the average running costs and carbon emissions for each appliance, along with top tips to help people choose cost-effective and lower-carbon options for their outdoor setup.
By using their figures, we have estimated that a person using a barbecue, a patio heater, and a hot tub every day for six weeks could see their bills go up by £840.
If used five days a week for six weeks, these appliances could add £600 extra to your energy bills.
The exact amount your garden appliances will cost you and how much you can save will depend on your usage.
Joanna O’Loan, knowledge manager at Energy Saving Trust, has shared the average costs you could face as well as tips for Brits planning to host BBQs and spending more time in their gardens.
Having a barbecue with friends and family is a proper British summertime tradition.
Due to the rising cost of living, over half of UK adults say they prefer having a cost-effective BBQ at home rather than paying for a meal at a restaurant, according to a survey by carried out by Co-op.
Based on the type of BBQ you have, running costs and carbon emissions change – and these are the average costs for around two hours to feed a family of four.
Gas BBQs: They cost £2.70 and emit 1.5 kg of CO2 per use, which is equivalent to driving 5 miles.
Electric BBQs: Based on the new electricity prices under the July price cap of 22.36p/kWh, these cost £1.00 and emit 1.0 kg of CO2 per use, equivalent to driving 4 miles.
Charcoal BBQs: These cost around £1.40 and emit 0.2 kg of CO2 per use, which is equivalent to driving 1 mile.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, charcoal BBQs emit the lowest emissions during each use.
The carbon factor listed assumes that trees cut to produce the charcoal were grown in the UK in sustainably managed forestry.
However, it is estimated that as much as 90% of charcoal used in the UK may come from overseas.
The Energy Saving Trust recommends purchasing charcoal made in the UK from pure, untreated wood, which produces minimal ash and lower harmful emissions compared to regular charcoal briquettes.
You should bear in mind that the cost for these is likely higher than the prices listed here.
And if this isn’t possible, a gas or electric BBQ is highly likely to have lower carbon emissions.
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
While the sun’s rays keep us warm during the day, summer evenings can turn chilly.
For people looking into options to create a cosy outdoor evening setting, patio heaters and fire pits are good options to consider.
The Energy Saving Trust has shared an estimate of the average running costs and carbon emissions of different heating options, covering a patio area of around 20m2 running for around two hours.
Patio gas heaters: They cost £9.20 and emit 6 kg CO2 per session, which is equivalent to driving 22 miles.
Patio electric infrared heaters: They cost £2.70 and emit 2.7 kg CO2 per session, equivalent to driving 10 miles.
Fire pit: It costs £6.20 and emits 2.3 kg CO2 per session, which is equivalent to driving 8 miles.
Similar to choosing UK-made charcoal for your BBQ, there are also sustainable options for your fire pit.
When using an outdoor fire pit, it’s best to use kiln-dried logs, as they burn cleaner than wet logs.
You should look for assurance that the logs come from UK-grown sustainable forestry.
Additionally, avoid burning anything other than wood.
But there are also ways to stay warm outside that don’t require any energy use, such as planting hedges or adding decorative panels to shield against chilly winds.
Another low-cost tip is keeping a stash of warm blankets ready for you and your guests.
SUNNIER days and warmer weather will leave many of us wanting to kit out gardens and outdoor areas.
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a great deal on summer essentials…
It pays to know how to bag big savings on the likes of hot tubs paddling pools, egg chairs and outside bars.
Many retailers have flash sales across entire ranges – often this ties into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends.
Sign up to the mailing lists of your favourite brands and you’ll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
Keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items such as beach gear and paddling pools.
If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart and leaving it for a couple of days.
Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount.
Always check if you can get cashback before paying. It’s especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you’ll get a nice kickback.
Hot tubs may not be a common feature in every UK home due to their high running costs, but seasonal discounts may present a tempting opportunity to own one.
However, before you make the investment, you should consider the operational expenses and carbon emissions of running a hot tub.
It could cost you between £2 to £8 to run a hot tub per day, according to the Energy Saving Trust, which also shared some useful tips to help keep running costs down if you do decide to buy one:
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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