Confused.com has identified the 25 worst vampire appliances that are adding to household energy bills from suppliers including British Gas, EDF, EON, OVO and Octopus. Vampire appliances, also called phantom loads, are everyday gadgets that continue to use power while on standby, such as TVs, games consoles, routers and smart speakers. Studies suggest the average UK home could be wasting between £65 and £100 a year just by leaving devices on standby, with some more tech-heavy homes wasting closer to £250.
Which devices cost the most on standby?
The research by Confused.com investigated how much commonly used household devices and appliances could cost when they are in use and in standby mode combined. The device with the highest total price is the kettle at £4.79, followed by an electric heater at £4.68, a tumble dryer at £4.25, and a washing machine at £4.00. An electric oven also costs £4.00, while a dishwasher comes to £3.01.
Other notable costs include a hair dryer at £2.92, an iron at £1.94, and a microwave at £1.80. Smaller but still significant costs come from a coffee machine and a toaster, both at £1.39, a television at £1.01, and a lamp at £0.87. Even a fridge costs £0.78, while a PC monitor adds £0.40, a games console £0.24, and a speaker £0.20.
Lower-cost devices still add up
Less obvious devices also contribute to the total. Hair styling equipment costs £0.17, a laptop £0.11, an air purifier £0.10, and a printer, shredder or fax machine £0.09. Even a tablet or iPad costs £0.02, while an Amazon Echo, mobile phone and radio each cost just £0.01.
Alice Campion from Confused.com explained: "Over half (54%) of the people we asked are concerned about the rising cost of their energy bill. If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, speak to your supplier. They might be able to reduce your direct debit or work out a payment plan, or they might be able to provide energy support. The government may also have energy grants available that could help towards the cost of energy."
What are vampire devices and how to respond
Campion added: "You shouldn’t stop paying your energy bill, as this could affect your credit rating and could lower your credit score. Your supplier could also take you to court or even send bailiffs to your home to recover the costs." Vampire devices are electrical appliances that drain power when left on standby or when they aren’t in use. For example, when you turn off a TV there’s no picture but the red standby light is still on, allowing you to connect with the TV every time you use the remote.
Although this is a convenient function, the TV is still using power when it’s in standby mode. This is a vampire device in action and could increase your energy bill. The full list of devices and their total prices includes a kettle at £4.79, electric heater at £4.68, tumble dryer at £4.25, washing machine at £4.00, electric oven at £4.00, dishwasher at £3.01, hair dryer at £2.92, iron at £1.94, microwave at £1.80, coffee machine at £1.39, toaster at £1.39, television at £1.01, lamp at £0.87, fridge at £0.78, PC monitor at £0.40, games console at £0.24, speaker at £0.20, hair styling equipment at £0.17, laptop at £0.11, air purifier at £0.10, printer/shredder/fax machine at £0.09, tablet/iPad at £0.02, Amazon Echo at £0.01, mobile phone at £0.01, and radio at £0.01.
