Britons could be unnecessarily spending over £200 on their energy bills due to a simple freezer-related error. Failing to defrost your freezer once or twice annually can lead to an accumulation of ice, causing the appliance to work harder and consequently increasing running costs. Sign up for our newsletter for more money-saving tips and hacks.

This could potentially cut as much as £237 off yearly bills. This advice is particularly timely given the current surge in energy bills affecting millions of households, with the average bill increasing by £111 annually, reports Birmingham Live.

Robert Andrews from Electricity Prices explained: "A small build-up of 5mm of frost can increase your freezer's electricity usage by 30% because your freezer now has to work much harder to stay cold. This drives up your electricity consumption along with your bills. You can put bowls of hot water inside the freezer to help speed the process up, when the ice has softened, you can then scrape it away.

"It's best to carry this process out before the ice in your freezer reaches half a centimetre in thickness so you can keep your freezer running efficiently. At the back of your fridge or freezer, there are metal coils known as condenser coils that are crucial when it comes to the refrigeration process.

"When these coils become clogged with dust or other debris, they become inefficient. Make sure your unit is turned off and then give the coils a vacuum to remove this dust. You should aim to clean these coils at least once a year or once every six months if you have pets."