Leaving devices on standby rather than switching them off could be adding £147 a year to your bill, more than £12 a month, according to British Gas. So-called vampire devices drain a significant amount of electricity even when you aren't using them, reports the BBC.
According to British Gas, across the UK, not switching devices off costs households £2.2billion a year - two-months worth of electricity per home. Any device left plugged into the wall but not switched off will be using electricity, including smart speakers, laptops, and internet routers all cost to keep plugged in.
A TV costs £24.61 per year, while a Sky or Virgin Media box will cost another £23.10. A microwave left on standby will cost £16.37 a year. A shower will cost £9.80, a washing machine £4.73m a printer £3.81 and a phone charger £1.26.
British Gas energy expert Marc Robson said: "There are smart plugs you can buy which will let you check everything is turned off from your phone. At night, or when not in use, try switching off devices at the mains rather than switching to standby, as even the standby light on a television uses energy.
"Try not to overcharge your mobile phone and laptop unnecessarily. As soon as your device is charged, try and get into the habit of unplugging it.
"Not only will this save energy but it also prolongs battery life. A smart meter's in-home display can help to identify how much energy is used at different times of the day, so you can see where energy is wasted."
Natalia Lachin from Discount Code said around 98 per cent of UK households leave their TV sets on standby at all times. She said: "Many wrongly assume that turning off via the remote switches it off entirely – however this isn’t always the case.
"Games consoles tend to be left switched on and plugged in as much as TVs and are often overlooked. Simply ensuring it is turned off completely can save £4.20 each day, as when a typical games console is left on standby it uses a hefty 15kWh per hour."
