Just as energy prices went up, the Easter holidays kicked off for schools kids in Glasgow.
Some families will be looking to stay at home in a bid to save some cash, but experts suggest that there will still be an added expense with the little ones at home.
Having children at home might mean more lights on, TV could be on for longer and with them having lunch at home rather than at school - you might be tempted to use your dishwasher, if you have one.
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As HullLive reports that a family of four can expect to add nearly £80 to energy bills with the kids at home over the Easter holidays, Loop energy saving app calculates.
Steve Buckley, head of data at energy saving app, Loop said: “The Easter holidays will hit just after the energy price cap increase on April 1, so many families are looking for ways to cut back on their spending.
“The school holidays can take a toll on parent’s purse strings as they look for ways to keep the kids entertained whilst they’re off school. But this year, costly family outings, holidays and treats may be off the cards for many families due to the cost-of-living crisis.
“But simply staying at home doesn’t come for free. We explored some typical costs of staying at home this Easter and found that parents can expect to add nearly £80 to energy bills with the kids at home over the Easter holidays.
“That’s £40 extra per week added onto a family’s energy bill by just having the kids in the house for two weeks ‘doing nothing’. We looked at basic costs such as extra heating and lighting as well as the cost of running gaming devices, computers and the TV to keep the kids entertained. These costs are just for energy and before parents fork out for trips out and treats.
"By the time October half term comes along, having the kids home for the school holidays could add even more because of the second energy price cap rise. But it doesn’t have to. You can turn your kids in to energy-saving heroes and encourage them to turn off lights and devices when they are not using them.
“We know from speaking to customers that many families feel helpless since the energy crisis hit, but there is still a way to stay in control. You can avoid the dreaded ‘energy bill shock’ by minimising wasted energy and keeping track of your energy usage as you go.
“Using a free smart meter app like Loop makes this a lot easier. Loop links to your smart meter, analyses your energy data and shows easy ways to make savings. On average Loop users cut their usage by 10% but many save significantly more. There’s never been a better time to stop wasting energy.”
