Leaving your TV on standby seems harmless and even practical for an item you use frequently, but financial experts advise against it.
It may seem like a waste of time to turn them off at the wall, but standby electronics needlessly increase energy bills. Devices zap energy and money even when just plugged in, so the extra task may be worth the faff.
Vampire device is a term for electronics that eat up power while not in use. Liz Hunter, director at Money Expert, says you could knock £75 off your yearly bill by switching off the five worst appliances for consuming energy.
As reported by the Express, Liz said: "The term, ’vampire device’, is used to describe electrical devices that continue to drain power when they’re plugged in but not actually being used, such as leaving a television on standby."
Although items like fridges and routers need to be kept on all day, most electronic devices can be turned off at the plug when not in use in order to save money.
She explained: "Although this may be convenient, it will be contributing to your already increasing energy bill. Whilst it may not seem like a major problem in the short term, over the course of a year the aggregate cost of leaving multiple devices on standby can add a noticeable extra amount onto your bills.
"Some of the most common ‘vampire devices’ include microwaves, computer monitors, coffee machines, white goods and chargers."
In a bid to help households savvy, Liz has outlined the five devices that could be costing you an extra £75 a year.
Top five worst appliances to leave on standby
1. Games console
A games console left on standby could be needlessly adding £30 to energy bills , according to the expert. This extra cost comes on top of the energy required to run it while it's in use.
Make sure to switch off these devices especially overnight to save both money and energy.
2. Microwave
Microwaves are another device that could reduce your energy bill. If you unplug or turn off the appliance off at the wall, Liz says you could save £17 a year.
It's an easy fix if you don't need it plugged in at all times, for example, if your household relies on the microwave's clock display.
3. Desktop computer
Now with more people working from home or in a hybrid set up, many households these days are using more energy on computers these days.
However, leaving desktop computers plugged in when they are not being used could be adding an additional £13 per year on energy bills, so it's worth making sure they're fully switched off when your work day is over.
Luckily, Liz noted that those who are home or hybrid workers may even be able to claim tax relief to go towards extra household costs, even if it's just one day a week.
She said: "This can be from £6 a week and can be backdated from 6 April 2020. What’s more, you don’t need to keep evidence of any additional costs, however, if you need to claim more than the weekly amount of £6 then you will need to provide evidence such as receipts, bills or contracts. You can claim this relief through the Government website."
4. Tumble dryers
The constant wet weather in Scotland means it's both faster and simpler to use tumble dryers. While the appliance makes quick work of wet clothes, dryers are known for their high energy consumption. Leaving them on but not in use they could be increasing the annual energy bill needlessly by around £7 per year.
To combat this, try an air drying rack and take advantage of any dry days by using the washing line.
5. Washing machines
The essential appliance uses around £4 worth of electricity per day which increases if the machine is left on standby. This cost can add an extra £7 to the bill per year.
Depending on their set up, you may be able to turn them off at a wall. If not, washing machines can be difficult to unplug depending on where they're placed, but to save energy, try only washing with full loads and dropping the temperature to 30 degrees.
For those who are able to reach the plug, turning it off can save money too. For those in need of a new machine, it’s worth looking at the energy rating, as eco-friendly models that are rated A+++ can help save money and energy in the long run.
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