The five 'energy hog' appliances you should avoid leaving on standby

A plug socket
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Several common household appliances could be sneakily adding to your electricity bills due to their standby power consumption. While not being the primary cause of high energy costs, switching these devices off is a critical step towards better energy efficiency at home.

Real estate specialist, Eric Bramlett, owner of Bramlett Residential, outlines the top five gadgets that you "should never" leave on standby and elaborates on the importance of powering them down to save energy.

Topping the list as a subtle energy drain are games consoles. Although designed with energy-saving functions, their standby modes still consume significant power if not fully turned off.

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Eric stresses: "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."

The recommendation to switch off consoles is supported by data from the Energy Saving Trust, which indicates these devices account for roughly six percent of household energy expenses. While it might seem minimal initially, over time, this habit can culminate in considerable savings, reports the Express.

Experts also remind users to keep their consoles' software updated since newer updates often bring improved energy management features.

Next on the power-saving agenda are cable or satellite boxes.

A TV and satellite box.
A TV and satellite box. -Credit:Getty

Eric, an energy expert, has warned about the cost of leaving appliances on standby. He revealed: "A friend of mine found that unplugging their cable box when not in use made a difference in their monthly energy bills."

He also pointed out that game consoles consume similar amounts of power even when they are on standby mode.

As electrical appliances get older, they become less efficient and start using more power due to malfunctioning parts. An old fridge is one of the main culprits for high energy consumption.

While it's not advised to turn off such an appliance, upgrading to a newer, more efficient model could be beneficial.

Microwave ovens, even when not in use, draw power just to keep the clock display running. However, unplugging the microwave or using a power strip to switch it off could "lower your electricity bill", according to Eric.

Desktop computers are known for consuming more energy than laptops, so it's important to always 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."