HOMEOWNERS are unknowingly spending large amounts of money each year on two electricals left on standby.
Unplugging them helps to keep costs low amid forecasts that energy bills will increase by around 10%.
It’s well known that appliances such as tumble dryers, boilers, and ovens should be used sparingly due to their high running costs.
However, they aren’t the only electricals to be mindful of when trying to avoid a hefty bill.
Consumer magazine Which? Recommends unplugging devices when they aren’t in use because they drain electricity.
Many people keep gadgets such as Alexa constantly plugged in for convenience.
However, wireless speakers, smart speakers, and sound bars are the worst offenders.
“They’re the most power-hungry gadgets in standby,” according to Which?
They estimate that leaving the items on standby for 20 hours per day costs around £6 per year.
Their money-savvy unplugging tip may seem like a small amount but it can become costly when combined with other gadgets.
According to Lincolnshire Live, PCs, game consoles and TVs all drain energy.
This can easily be avoided as modern technology has been created to quickly wake up after being fully shut down.
Gadgets that when left idle continue to drain energy have been dubbed ”vampire appliances.”
Ian Palmer-Smith, who is an appliance expert at Domestic and General, said it isn’t enough just to turn off electrical products.
He has eight appliances that he always makes sure to unplug to save money.
These include washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves, printers, and even coffee machines.
1. Draught-proof your home
It takes time and money to heat up your home, so it’s important that you do as much as you can to keep in the warmth. Close your doors and windows, and fill any gaps with a draught excluder.
2. Dial down your thermostat
According to Energy UK, turning down your thermostat by just one degree Celsius could cut your heating bill by up to 10%, and save you around £85 per year. Plus, if you don’t have a thermostat, installing one could save up to £70 per year!
3. Move furniture around
Make sure not big, bulky furniture like sofas are blocking radiators.
4. Wash clothes on a lower temp and add an extra spin
Unless it’s bedding, towels or really dirty items, dial down the temperature to 20 or 30 degrees, and do a double spin to remove excess water.
5. Heat the person not the home
There’s not point heating up a room that no one is sitting in, so be mindful about which radiators are on.
Tumbledryers and TVs should also be unplugged when not in use.
“Appliances that need to heat water use a lot of energy – which is why dishwashers, washing machines and kettles score so highly on energy consumption,” he told The Express.
“They use more energy than others on standby as they need to be ready to heat water instantly, on demand.”
