THOUSANDS could be wasting hundreds of pounds on energy every year because of one simple mistake.
With the cost of living on the rise, homeowners are on a tight budgetfor their household bills and essentials.
Dog owners could be paying an extra £300 on top of bills to keep heating and energy on for pets.
Energy bills could rocket by £830 on average this winter, so you won't want to spend more than you need to.
The price of heating, gas and lights could add up to hundreds of pounds extra, reports the Mail Online.
Dr David Glew, a government adviser on energy efficiency, says it is a recurring problem.
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Leaving the heating on for a dog could add an extra £240 to bills, says Dr Glew.
Another £50 could be added for leaving the lights on for roughly six hours, or £12 with LED bulbs.
Air conditioning could also add on hundreds of pounds if you're not careful.
Of course, exactly how much it's adding to bills depends on the size of your house, how much you pay for electricity and how long you're away for.
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But you shouldn't need to leave the heating on for your pets, according to most vets, because they have enough fur to keep them warm.
Similarly, leaving the air conditioning on would be unnecessary.
Dr Glew, head of energy efficiency and policy at Leeds Beckett University, raised the issue in a talk at Cheltenham Science Festival this month.
He said: "There is no need to leave heating on for pets but if people feel they really must do it, perhaps they could consider only heating the room the dog prefers, or turning down the radiator dial or thermostat."
Research by the Energy Saving Trust in 2015 found 43% of pet owners keep the heating on for them.
But there are plenty more ways to keep those bills down, too.
With the price cap set to rise to £2,800 in October, you'll be looking for as many hacks as possible.
For example, switch off or unplug any unused appliances around the house, like bill saver Naz Yucel-Ozseker.
You can also keep a sharper eye on mortgage increases or other bills schemes that might save you from spending too much at once.
If you're struggling, there are payment schemes you could be eligible for here.
And there's also the Household Support Fund which lends extra money for bills and essentials if you're scraping by.
Eligibility and offers vary per council constituency though, so double check your local council to see what's available.
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As always, if you're struggling to stay afloat and don't know what to do at the moment, you can always get in touch with these organisations who can lend a helping hand for the time being:
- National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
- Step Change – 0800 138 1111
- Citizens Advice – 0808 800 9060
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