British households are being alerted to a silent budget drain, as energy specialists reveal that power-hungry appliances left on standby could be adding a staggering £630 per year to their energy bills.
The Phantom Load Problem
According to new research highlighted by Helen Rolph, an energy savings expert at Quotezone, nearly 60% of people in the UK still leave their devices on standby. This habit creates a 'phantom load' – energy consumed by appliances even when they are not in active use.
"It's worrying that nearly six in 10 people still leave their appliances on standby," said Rolph, "especially when these so-called phantom loads could be costing households hundreds of pounds per year."
The issue is compounded by a lack of awareness, with a third of Britons reportedly unaware of the significant savings achievable by simply unplugging unused gadgets.
Top 10 Energy-Draining Offenders
The experts have identified the worst culprits for standby energy consumption. The list reveals some surprising costs associated with common household items.
- Faulty set-top box recorders - £162 per year
- Outdoor lights - £135 per annum
- Additional fridges - £104 per annum
- Desktop computers - £86 per annum
- Electric towel rail - £62 per annum
- Digital TV box - £40 per annum
- Multi-room speakers - £30 per year
- Router - £8.13 per year
- Coffee maker - £1.80 per year
- Microwave - £0.92 per year
A Simple Path to Meaningful Savings
With energy prices remaining high and the price cap having recently increased by £35, taking control of phantom loads is more relevant than ever. Rolph emphasised that this is one of the simplest and most effective steps families can take to reduce their outgoings.
"From bigger appliances like extra fridges in the garage or desktop computers, to easy-to-forget devices like towel rails that often never get switched off, it all adds up," she added.
More than a third (34%) of people surveyed were unaware they could be losing over £100 annually to these 'vampire' appliances. By making a conscious effort to turn devices off fully at the plug, households can easily recoup the recent price cap increase and build substantial savings over the course of a year.
