UK energy bills have soared recently, and that's no surprise. Earlier this year, a report highlighted an alarming 40% increase in the number of UK households struggling to pay their energy bills compared to the previous year.
Even after a slight fall from the peak prices of winter 2022, the cost of living crisis has left many homes struggling to cope with significantly higher outgoings than before. Consequently, many are looking to reduce their energy bills.
Mitchell Wray, an expert at National Insulation Supplies, named six "zombie" domestic devices which consume electricity silently even when left in standby mode. These appliances can add an average of almost £200 a year to your energy bill, according to Mitchell.
The Six Hidden Energy Consumers in Your House
- Television (TV)
Shared by many households, the TV alone contributes a whopping £60.27 to your annual energy bill if it's left on standby. Therefore, it's worth taking an extra second to turn off your TV completely after use. - Gaming Consoles
For those families with teenagers hooked on their Xbox or PlayStation, switching these games consoles off costs around £30.13 a year. Make sure you switch them off completely after use. - Universal Set-Top Boxes
Regardless of whether you use Sky, Virgin or Freeview, keeping your set-top box on standby every night can add an unexpected €45.20 to your annual energy bill. Consider switching to a surge protector, which allows you to easily switch off all your devices when they're not in use. - Microwaves
The microwave is an integral part of most households but, due to frequent use, is often left on standby. However, this can cost around £9.04 a year. Shutting off your microwave completely after use can save you a lot of money. - Coffee Machines
As coffee machines become ever more popular, most people may not realise that leaving them plugged in with the timer or auto switch off function on can cost around £15.05 a year. - Wi-Fi Router
There's no denying our dependence on Wi-Fi routers. Yet surprisingly, they also contribute significantly to standby power consumption, potentially costing around £36.16 a year if left on all the time. To avoid this, make sure you take advantage of the scheduler function available on many routers, which allows them to switch off automatically at night.
What is 'Zombie' Appliances?
The term "zombie appliances" refers to electronic devices and equipment which continue to draw electricity even when they are switched off. Such devices are not completely switched off; rather, they are in standby mode or have functions that continue to operate in the background, consuming energy all the time. This is sometimes referred to as "phantom charging" or "vampire power".