Energy bills have already surged by a huge £1,738 since January 1 – but there are some simple ways you may be able to reduce the hit, according to the experts at the Energy Advice Helpline
Leaving your home appliances on standby might seem like a nifty time-saver, but it can actually “quietly drain energy and increase your electricity bills”, warn the experts at the Energy Advice Helpline. While standby mode does cut down on energy use compared to when devices are fully on, many gadgets still pull power even when they’re not active.
This sneaky consumption can add up, especially with energy bills that have soared to £1,738 since January 1. But fear not, the energy gurus have dished out their top three energy-guzzling appliances “you should never leave on standby”.
They point out: “By switching them off properly when not in use, you can make a big difference to your energy bill and reduce your household’s carbon footprint.”
1. Satellite boxes
Firstup, satellite boxes – these common household items can be real culprits when left on standby, silently sapping energy and bumping up your bills. Many of us forget to fully switch off our satellite boxes, mistakenly thinking standby mode will do.
But just turning off your TV while the box is still on standby can lead to needless power consumption that’ll hit your wallet over time. Satellite boxes, even on standby, are “sneaky energy drainers”, reports the Express.
Properly powering them down can lead to tangible savings on your energy expenses.
2. Desktop computers
Leaving a desktop computer on standby might make the morning login faster, but this habit can secretly pile up your energy costs. Even in standby mode, your trusty desktop still sips electricity, which over the course of a year amounts to an average cost of £10 to £15 in electric bills.
While it doesn’t sound like much, flipping the switch off after use can yield “noticeable savings.”
3. Games consoles
Now, talking about game consoles, those high-powered entertainment boxes might help you unwind with their energy-saving features, but there’s a catch. They typically come with an on/off feature that shifts them into a low-power standby mode, yet plenty of users forget to turn them off completely or simply switch off the TV and leave the console humming along – racking up hidden costs.
Experts point out that gaming consoles amount to about six percent of an average household’s energy bill. This figure might not raise eyebrows at first glance, but regular switching off can stack up substantial savings over time.
The Energy Saving Trust advises updates too, as they can give the machines an eco-friendly boost in energy efficiency.
