Energy experts have identified two of the worst appliances to leave on standby, and leaving them on could increase your energy bill by up to £50. These ‘vampire appliances’ consume a huge amount of power when they aren’t completely switched off, even when they’re not in use.
Ahead of autumn’s arrival, when the heating comes on and bills increase even further, experts at Grant Store are warning that leaving TVs and satellite TV boxes on standby could be costing you up to £50 a year. They explained: “Televisions are among the worst household culprits for standby energy consumption. Even when not in use, they can still draw up to 20 watts of electricity.”
“Over the course of a year, that could add around £30 to your energy bill, just for something that isn’t even on.”
And it’s not just the TV itself, it’s the satellite box that consumes huge amounts of electricity too. The experts suggest that boxes such as Sky or Virgin Media devices can contribute a further £20 annually to your energy bills if left in standby mode.
“The issue with set-top boxes is that many people assume they need to be left on to record or update, but that’s rarely necessary unless you’re actively using those functions,” the team at Grant Store advised.
“If you’re not watching TV, turn both the box and the television off at the plug. It’s a simple habit that could save households money and cut unnecessary energy waste.”
Making these small changes can certainly add up over time, leading to a huge reduction in energy costs for your household.
The experts concluded: “They’re especially useful for those who might not realise how much energy is being drained from devices they’re not even using.”