Leaving your home appliances on standby might seem like a clever time-saver, but it can actually “quietly drain energy and increase your electricity bills”, caution the experts at the Energy Advice Helpline. While standby mode does reduce energy use compared to when devices are fully on, many gadgets still draw power even when they’re not active.
This stealthy consumption can add up, especially with energy bills that have rocketed to £1,738 since January 1. But don’t worry, the energy experts have shared their top three energy-guzzling appliances “you should never leave on standby”.
They highlight: “By switching them off properly when not in use, you can make a significant difference to your energy bill and decrease your household’s carbon footprint.”
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1. Satellite boxes First up, satellite boxes – these common household items can be real offenders when left on standby, silently draining energy and increasing your bills.
Many of us forget to fully switch off our satellite boxes, mistakenly thinking standby mode will suffice. But just turning off your TV while the box is still on standby can lead to unnecessary power consumption that’ll impact your wallet over time, reports the Mirror.
Satellite boxes, even on standby, are “sneaky energy drainers”, reports the Express. Properly powering them down can lead to noticeable savings on your energy costs.
2. Desktop computers.
Leaving your desktop computer on standby can speed up your morning login, but this habit can stealthily add to your energy costs. Despite being in standby mode, your desktop still uses electricity – which can add an extra £10 to £15 to your annual electric bill.
Turning off your computer when it’s not in use could lead to “noticeable savings.”
When it comes to games consoles, these high-powered gaming machines might be equipped with energy-saving features, but there’s a hidden issue. They often have a low-power standby mode that users frequently forget to turn off completely, innocuously adding to your outgoings—contributing roughly six percent to the average household’s energy bill.
While it may not seem significant at first, regularly turning off your console can help notch up considerable savings over time.
Furthermore, updating your machines as recommended by the Energy Saving Trust can improve their energy efficiency and is better for the environment.