HOUSEHOLDS can save money on energy bills by unplugging appliances that drain power even when they’re switched off, according to a top money-saving expert.
Energy bills will stay at a typical £2,500 a year until July after the government recently extended the Energy Price Guarantee.
However, we're all losing out on the £66/67 a month fuel rebate that has helped buffer households from high prices since October.
It means that saving money on energy bills by cutting back on use where possible is a priority for cash-strapped households.
Turning off appliances and devices that drain your energy when left on standby is one key way of limiting the use of electricity.
Leaving on everyday items including computers and security lights can quickly push costs up.
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We spoke to Ben Gallizzi at Uswitch about the appliances that sap energy even when they're turned off.
He said: "There are a number of devices around your home that could be adding to your energy bills while they are on standby.
“This can include devices left to charge, like laptops, tablets and mobile phones, as well as TVs, games consoles and desktop computers."
The appliances use relatively little energy, but when looking for savings every little counts.
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Ben added: “Older TVs, games consoles and computers may use much more power than newer models, and so it may be worthwhile turning them off at the wall if they are not used often."
Uswitch estimates that the cost of leaving a gaming console on standby for 24 hours a day could add £15.60 to your bill every year and leaving a TV on standby would cost £14.56.
However, there is one gadget that is important to leave on.
Ben said: “It is not recommended that you turn off Wi-Fi routers.
"Broadband networks regularly monitor the speed and reliability of your internet connection so shutting off your router frequently can make your provider think there is a faulty line.
"This could lead them to slow down the service into your router in order to try and maintain your connection while they look for an issue.”
However, leaving a computer on standby for a week, for 24 hours a day, would not not make a big difference costing just 5p.
Over a year this would work out at £2.60.
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To save more on energy use, check you are not letting eight "vampire appliances" add up to £500 to your bills.
And we've also rounded up a further 33 ways to cut energy bills now.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
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