UK households can save £70 on energy bills in seconds with quick flick of a switch

UK households can save around £70 on their energy bills right now with the quick flick of a switch - or several switches to be precise. The summery weather means we should be using less gas and electricity in our homes for heating and lighting anyway but it's easy to overlook background power consumption.

Experts are urging people to act now and stamp out this hidden energy usage so we can reduce our bills even more than when the upcoming price cap change comes into effect. A typical household bill is set to fall by £122 a year from July 1 thanks to the new Ofgem cap, so households using the average amount of gas and electricity will pay £1,568 a year, down from the current level of £1,690.

But you can make an even bigger difference by tackling what energy specialists call 'vampire devices.' Sinister as this may sound, it simply refers to appliances that are sucking up electricity even while not in use. Here are the simple checks you can do to make sure you aren't passively bumping up your bills by £60 to £70.

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Set-top boxes and recorders

Set-top boxes and recorders left on standby mode can collectively add around £23 per device annually to electricity bills. Using eco modes during off-hours can help lower standby power consumption and associated costs.

TVs

Televisions left on standby mode can be significant contributors to standby power consumption, costing households around £24 per TV per year. So turning off TVs at the wall socket when not in use can lead to substantial energy savings.

Microwaves

Microwaves left on standby mode may seem harmless, but they can contribute to significant energy wastage, costing households over £16 per device annually. Switching off microwaves at the plug when not in use can help curb unnecessary energy consumption.

Phone charging

Charging phones, tablets, computers, and laptops overnight or for long periods can waste energy. While one device might not make a big difference, together they can really affect your energy bill.

Setting charging schedules and unplugging devices when fully charged can save energy - and money - over time. Most gadgets don't need to be charged for a full eight hours while you are asleep.

Energy experts at Grant Store said: "Simple actions like switching off lights and using eco modes on appliances are great starting points. For increased savings, switching off vampire devices when not in use can potentially save households around £60-£70.

"While some smart devices offer energy-efficient features, others such as smart speakers and devices with standby power may increase electricity consumption. It's important for consumers to know the difference between energy-saving smart technologies and those that add to standby power costs."

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