Some people may not realise that various home appliances can quietly drain modest amounts of electricity. Over time, these so-called energy vampires accumulate on your energy bill. Whilst they’re not the primary culprits behind substantial electricity bills, switching them off is a crucial tactic for energy conservation in every household.
Eric Bramlett, a property expert and proprietor of Bramlett Residential, has identified the top five appliances you should “never” leave on standby and explained the significance of powering them down completely. Earlier this year, EDF Energy revealed that the average montly electricity bills for UK housholds ranges between £57 to £110.
Gaming consoles
These powerful devices feature energy-saving capabilities but also have considerable disadvantages. They include an on/off switch that places them into a low-power standby state.
Nevertheless, some users neglect to switch them off entirely, or they turn off the television whilst leaving the console running, which can prove costly. Eric said: “They can be real energy hogs on standby. A client of mine saw their energy bills drop after turning off their console when not in use.”
Specialists from the Energy Saving Trust have noted that gaming consoles account for approximately six per cent of a household’s energy bill.
Although this might not appear significant, over time, switching off your console can result in considerable savings. The Energy Saving Trust expert also stressed not to overlook updating consoles as it “can improve energy management”.
Cable or satellite boxes
Eric warned that leaving appliances on standby can be quite costly. He shared: “A friend of mine found that unplugging their cable box when not in use made a difference in their monthly energy bills.”
These devices in standby mode consume similar amounts of power as game consoles.
Older appliances
As electrical appliances age, they become less efficient and start using more power, often due to malfunctioning parts.
One of the main culprits for high energy consumption is an old fridge. While it’s not advised to turn off such an appliance, upgrading to a newer, more efficient model could be a smart move.
Microwave ovens
Even when not in use, microwave ovens draw power simply to keep the clock display running. However, you can save some energy by unplugging the microwave or using a power strip to switch it off, which could lower your electricity bill according to the expert.
Desktop computers
Desktop computers are known for consuming more energy than laptops, so always remember to turn them off completely.
Eric advised: “Don’t even get me started on those. Just shut them down when you’re done using them and watch your bills melt away.”
