These are the household appliances to blame for bumping up your bills

Research by energy experts at Hometree has revealed which appliances use the most energy, and what you can do by way of cheaper alternatives.

Dishwasher - £1.12 per 90 minute cycle

The majority usage on your energy bills will come from wet household appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines. The average dishwasher cycle lasts around an hour and a half, but some lower quality ones can run from two to four hours. Running a dishwasher is one of the most expensive household appliances, using around 3.3 kWh of energy.

It's possible to estimate how much energy each appliance uses by multiplying its power rating in kW by the number of minutes/hours it’s left on. Wattage information should be on the label or in any manual that comes with your appliance.

For example, a dishwasher may have a power rating of 2200W (there are 1000W in a kW). If you run it for 90 minutes it uses 3.3 kWh, costing around £1.12 for a 90 minute cycle. Here are the workings of the equation: 2.2 x 90/60 = 3.3kWh.

There are options for saving on your energy bills, such as making sure to run the dishwasher only when it is fully loaded, and investing in a grade A energy-efficient dishwasher. The good news is that dishwashers are more time efficient, and cheaper than washing dishes by hand, which tends to use more water.

Washing machine - 75p per hour cycle

Washing machines and dishwashers account for around 14 per cent of a typical energy bill. On average, a typical washing machine will run from around 45 to 90 minutes. A washing machine will have a similar power rating to a dishwasher, with an average rating of 2200W. But the running cycle for a washing machine should be shorter, therefore costing less per cycle.

On an average 2200W washing machine, the appliance will use about 2.2kWh of energy if running for an hour, which will cost around 75p. Again, you should avoid half-loads and opt for a grade A energy-efficiency rating. Some washing machines will have an eco-friendly option, which will use a lower wash and temperature, so less energy is required for heating, therefore costing you less.

Fridge and freezer - £3.26 per day

On average, fridges and freezers will account for around 13 per cent of your household’s energy bill, according to Energy Saving Trust. The average fridge/freezer will stay on 24/7, with a Wattage of 400, using around 9.6 kWh of energy per day.