State pensioners have been urged to unplug five household appliances as energy bills continue to soar, according to energy specialists who say that devices left on standby can quietly drain power and add unnecessary costs.
John Kirkman, a sales consultant at the energy price comparison site Love Energy Savings, said: “They all consume electricity. Devices left on standby can continue to draw power even when they aren’t actively being used, so turning equipment off completely at the end of the working day can help reduce wasted energy.”
Brian Horn, Senior Insight and Analytics consultant at the Energy Saving Trust, echoed that advice, saying there were practical things consumers could do. “If something doesn’t need to be on, then you should switch it off at the wall or unplug it,” he said. “Everything else, just try and make it as easy as possible to turn it off. If you make sure that the plug is accessible, if you can just switch it off, so you don’t need to unplug it. But if you’ve got a whole bunch of things plugged in behind your television, you maybe want to plug them all into one extension lead.”
Set-top boxes and recorders
Energy specialists highlighted set-top boxes and recorders as one of the main culprits. “Set-top boxes and recorders left on standby mode can collectively add around €27 per device annually to electricity bills. Using eco modes during off-hours can help lower standby power consumption and associated costs,” they said.
Televisions and charging devices
Televisions are another significant source of standby waste. “Televisions left on standby mode can be significant contributors to standby power consumption, costing households around €28 per TV per year. Turning off TVs when not in use can lead to substantial energy savings,” the specialists added.
Charging devices also add up. “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 affect your energy bill. Setting charging schedules and unplugging devices when fully charged can save energy over time,” they said. “Addressing common energy-wasting habits helps households save money and supports environmental sustainability by reducing energy use. Raising awareness and adopting energy-efficient habits are key steps toward long-term energy conservation.”
Microwave and shower
The Energy Saving Trust also said a microwave is one of the appliances that will “eat up electricity” when left on standby. Households leave their microwaves on standby for a total of 23 hours a day on average, working out as around £16.37 extra on your bill each year.
A typical electric shower left plugged in or on standby can draw a small amount of phantom power, the trust noted.
By switching off these five appliances at the wall or unplugging them, pensioners could reduce wasted energy and lower their bills, according to the specialists.
