20 ‘vampire’ appliances costing UK households £145 at the wall

Household energy experts are urging people to switch off 20 appliances costing you hundreds just by having them plugged in at the wall.

A study by Electric Radiators Direct has found that keeping a host of common appliances plugged in or switched on at the wall is costing UK households an average of as much as £145 a year.

With Ofgem having increased the price cap yet again from April to July by an average of £148, there has scarcely been a better time to cut your energy usage, especially as the summer months are when most households are expected to build up credit for the winter ahead.

They found that, based on the new price cap, devices left on standby are costing over £12 per month – as much as a monthly Netflix subscription.

Devices left on standby are costing £145 per year, or 16% of the average annual bill and the same as most families’ weekly food bill.

A spokesperson for the firm said: “As we approach the warmer months, some may take relief as we’re finally able to stop reaching for the thermostat. However, there’s a simple way you could be saving even more money.”

Energy experts are urging households to check devices are off at the plug, or risk paying more than you should be.

These devices, dubbed ‘vampire devices’ are using electricity whilst they’re ‘resting’, draining energy and money from your bank account at the same time.

The study, conducted by energy experts at Electric Radiators Direct, has highlighted the simple mistake of not unplugging at least 20 common appliances whilst they’re not in use.

These can include TVs, PCs, set-top boxes, wifi routers, phone chargers, microwaves, lamps, electric hobs, kettles, toothbrush chargers, towel rails, coffee makers, games consoles, radios, smart speakers, sound systems, digital clocks and turntables as well as TV streamers and sound bars according to experts at Which? and Loop.

Electric Radiators Direct added: “The biggest savings can be made by turning off game consoles and gaming PCs, which cost £4.87 a month, that’s a saving of £58.44 a year.

“On the other hand, the cheapest appliances to have on a constant standby are electric hobs at a micro-amount of 5p per month, 64p per year. Not to be forgotten are lamps, that are only costing 9p per month, £1.08 per year.

“Out of all 20 common appliances, from kettles to toothbrush chargers, if you’re leaving these off and on standby, this is costing your household a whopping £145 per year.”

Energy efficiency expert Stephen Hankinson from Electric Radiators Direct 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.”