Energy costs in the UK can easily stack up, a worrying prospect for UK bill payers.

Martin Lewis previously explained to Britons whether they can save more money by leaving their energy on all day or turning it on and off as and when they need it, which is what both the Energy Saving Trust and British Gas recommend.

The Money Saving Expert also revealed today that British Gas has a secret tariff which offers a 20per cent discount, but there is a trick Britons need to know to benefit from it.

Now more experts have come forward to shed some light on the ways in which Britons waste the most money thanks to their energy consumption.

So, are you wasting money when it comes to your energy habits?

The Money Saving Expert told Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield that is it best to use a timer to turn heating on and off to save money.

He said earlier this month: “They say it’s better to only put the heating on when you need it – as you pay to pump energy in as and when is needed, and to keep pumping it in constantly isn’t efficient.

“Using a timer's best, because your thermostat is designed to turn your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it. So in general I’d stick with that.” 

However, keeping the heating on all day is good for people in certain scenarios, including people who have damp. 

He said: “There are some engineers though who argue that keeping the heating on low with all the radiators on and the boiler down can work as it reduces condensation, which when the heating is turned off collects within the walls, and can help conduct heat outside the home – meaning you lose heat more quickly and so will use more energy as a result.

“So if your house is prone to that you may want to think about it.”

The average annual cost for heating and hot water using gas in the UK is £609, according to consumer site Which? 

This figure is based on households consuming around 13,500 kWh a year. 

Do you know how much it really costs to run items that use up energy in your home?

It might surprise you to know that using the washing machine costs 50p per use.

How much energy items cost to use (most expensive to least)

1.        Washing a load in the washing machine (£0.50)

2.       Drying clothes in the tumble dryer (£0.35)

3.       Putting an electric heater on for an hour (£0.31)

4.       Using a slow cooker for an hour (£0.25)

5.       Ironing for an hour (£0.15)

6.       Cooking a microwave meal (£0.12)

7.        Drying your hair with a hairdryer (£0.06)

8.       Running a games console for an hour (£0.03)

9.       Charging your phone for an hour (£0.03)

10.   Boiling the kettle to make a cup of tea (£0.025)

11.    Watching TV for an hour (£0.02)

12.    Turning on a light for an hour (£0.005)

13.    Straightening your hair with hair straighteners (£0.004)

14.   Turning on an energy-saving light for an hour (£0.003)

Commenting on the findings, Nick Heath, Head of Insight at UK Power, said: “The introduction of smart meters has allowed many people around the country to get to grips with how much they’re spending on energy. 

But it’s very interesting to see that there’s still a lack of clarity around what are the most and least expensive items to run, as well as the numerous bad habits people continue to have.

“We hope our research will make people think twice about their energy habits and encourage people to take action and reduce the amount they pay on their energy bills”.