Research has found that common household devices are costing households over £140 a year – but there are ways to save money on energy bills
From this month, the energy price cap has risen by 0.2%(Image: Westend61 via Getty Images)
Households throughout the UK could slash more than £140 annually from their energy bills. And they can do it by performing one simple daily task, experts have cautioned as Ofgem’s energy price cap climbs once more.
From this month, the energy price cap has risen by 0.2%, driving up electricity and gas bills at a time when temperatures have dropped and families are consuming more power to keep warm. However, energy specialists say numerous households are unknowingly squandering money by leaving everyday appliances switched on at the plug.
Fresh research has discovered that devices left on standby are costing households £12.36 monthly – over £140 annually, which amounts to more than 16% of the typical yearly energy bill. The calculations are based on the new price-capped unit cost that took effect in January 2026.
Specialists caution that appliances left plugged in whilst not in use – commonly known as “vampire devices” – continue to consume electricity even when they appear to be switched off. A study carried out by energy specialists at Electric Radiators Direct disclosed that failing to unplug 20 common household appliances could cost households up to £145 annually.
Here are 10 of the most costly devices to leave on standby include:
- Games console – £36.38 per year.
- Gaming PC – £23.52.
- Desktop computer – £20.38.
- TV – £15.28.
- Speaker or digital radio – £10.67.
- Oven – £8.73.
- Kettle – £5.58.
- Microwave -£5.34.
- Air fryer – £4.37.
- Slow cooker – £4.37
Overall, standby devices are costing households £12.36 per month, which experts highlight is nearly equivalent to an ad-free Netflix subscription. The most significant potential savings come from switching off games consoles, which cost approximately £3.03 a month, totalling more than £36 annually.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the most economical appliances to leave on standby include electric hobs, which cost merely 5p a month or 65p yearly, whilst lamps cost around 10p monthly, or £1.14 per annum. Across all 20 appliances – from kettles to toothbrush chargers – households that leave devices on standby are spending roughly £145 annually on electricity they are not actively utilising.
This means Brits are spending 16% of the average yearly energy bill on unused appliances – equivalent to nearly two months’ worth of bills. Energy efficiency expert Stephen Hankinson from Electric Radiators Direct cautioned that standby mode is not the same as switching devices off properly.
He said:. “Putting something into standby mode is not the same as totally switching off a device or unplugging it. You’re only really putting the device to sleep. This means that it will be drawing out some electricity in the background, which is where the phrase ‘vampire device’ comes from.
“It sounds so simple but switching your appliances off at the wall really is the best way to ensure you’re not spending your hard-earned income on keeping things in standby mode. The cost of a couple of coffees might not concern you however, £145 is a big food shop, two tanks of petrol or even a nice meal out. There really are much better ways to use this money than giving it to the energy companies.”
He highlighted one crucial exception for households attempting to reduce costs. “Pro tip: the one device we recommend to not turn off is the fridge freezer, unless you want to come home to spoiled goods.”
