Rising energy costs in Awful April mean that family budgets are being stretched even further, but according to one expert a quick 10-minute task could help you save up to £237 this year. Robert Andrews, an energy expert from Electricity Prices said that regularly defrosting your freezer is something that many of us fail to do and doing so could significantly reduce the amount of electricity your appliance uses.

"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," warns Robert.

A poorly maintained freezer could be adding up to £237 a year onto your energy bills, older freezers that aren't as energy efficient could be using even more energy to keep your food cold too. Defrosting the freezer is a quick and simple process and doesn't require any special tools. The simplest way is to unplug the unit, remove your food and place it in cool bags if needed.

"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," says Robert.

While your freezer is pulled out of the wall and defrosting, there are a few other easy ways to cut costs in the kitchen. "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 6 months if you have pets," says Robert.

A well-stocked freezer is more energy-efficient than an empty one. When your freezer is 3/4 full the frozen items inside will help maintain a stable internal temperature, reducing the amount of work your appliance has to do every time the freezer doors are open.

"Food is another area in which our bills have seemed to increase over the last few years so if you can't fill your freezer to be 3/4 full then using plastic bottles can help."

"Bottles of water are a simple and low-cost solution for keeping your bills down as once they are frozen, they act like cold batteries which help keep the temperature in the freezer consistent. This means the compressor won't need to switch on as frequently, saving you money over time," says Robert.