Five 'energy hog' appliances will save money on bills if you switch off standby

Households might not realise that numerous home appliances can quietly drain small amounts of power, which can accumulate and impact your energy bill over time.

While they may not be the primary culprits for high electricity costs, switching them off is a crucial step towards energy conservation in every household.

Real estate expert and owner of Bramlett Residential, Eric Bramlett, has identified the top five appliances you "should never" leave on standby, stressing the need to power them down, reports the Express.

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Games consoles

Games consoles are high-powered devices with energy-saving features but also come with significant downsides. They have an on/off switch that puts them into a low-power standby mode.

However, many users forget to completely turn them off, or they switch off the TV while leaving the console on, which can be costly. Eric remarked: "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 Energy Saving Trust experts have pointed out that game consoles account for about six percent of a household's energy bill. Although it may seem insignificant, consistently turning off your console can result in substantial savings over time.

An Energy Saving Trust specialist also highlighted the importance of updating consoles as it "can improve energy management".

Cable or satellite boxes

Cable or satellite boxes are another appliance to consider.

Eric, an energy expert, has 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. As electrical appliances age, they become less efficient and start using more power, often due to malfunctioning parts.

Older appliances

One of the main culprits for 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 decision.

Microwaves

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 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."