While they’re not the main villains behind hefty electricity bills, turning them off is an essential strategy for energy conservation in every home
Many households may not realise that several home appliances can sneakily drain small amounts of power and accumulate over time on your energy bill.
Whilst they’re not the primary culprits behind enormous electricity bills, switching them off is a crucial tactic for energy conservation in every home – and it can make a huge difference financially.
Eric Bramlett, a property expert and owner of Bramlett Residential, has identified the top five appliances you “should never” leave on standby, outlining the significance of powering them down. It doesn’t take a lot of time or effort, and it will save you a lot of money.
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Games consoles
These high-powered gadgets come with energy-saving features but also have considerable disadvantages. They have an on/off switch that puts them into a low-power standby mode, reports the Express.
Nevertheless, many users forget to completely switch them off, or they turn off the TV whilst leaving the console on, which can be costly. Eric noted: “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 identified that game consoles makeup about six per cent of a household’s energy bill. Though this might not sound like much, over time, switching off your console can lead to noticeable savings. The Energy Saving Trust expert also stressed not to overlook updating consoles as it “can improve energy management”.
Cable or satellite boxes
Eric, an energy expert, has warned that leaving appliances on standby can be quite costly. He revealed: “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 get older, their efficiency decreases and they 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.
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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 Eric.
Desktop computers
Desktop computers are known for consuming more energy than laptops, so always remember to turn them off completely. Eric warned: “Don’t even get me started on those. Just shut them down when you’re done using them and watch your bills melt away.”