Energy experts have issued a warning over a “phantom load” power drain that could add £1,253 to your bills come October.
The data science team at Loop, a smart meter energy app, describes a “phantom load” as appliances that are left on all the time, either intentionally or accidentally.
This includes computers, media servers and set-top boxes, plus easy-to-forget things like underfloor heating, heated towel rails and extra drinks fridges.
Loop says a “phantom load” of 275w currently costs £683 but this will rise to £1,253 in October.
This is when the Ofgem price cap will rise from £1,971 to a hideous £3,549 for those on default tariffs who pay by direct debit.
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Some simple changes could reduce this to 100w and produce a saving of £434 - come October, this saving would be worth £797.
If prices were to increase by another 20% in January 2023, these changes would amount to a whopping £957 saving, according to Loop.
The £1,253 figure is the cost of leaving appliances on standby between use, based on an average household - so wasted energy use.
Common ‘phantom load’ culprits
The below figures show how much each item costs to run currently, then how much they'll cost following the price cap increase in October, and predicted cost come January 2023.
Extra fridges, old fridges or "beer fridges"
- Average annual cost (April @28.3p per unit) - £99
- Average annual new cost (Oct @52p per unit) - £182
- Average annual cost (Jan 2023 @62.4p per unit – if the cost is to rise by 20%) - £271
Old desktop computers
- Average annual cost (April @28.3p per unit) - £79
- Average annual new cost (Oct @52p per unit) - £145
- Average annual cost (Jan 2023 @62.4p per unit – if the cost is to rise by 20%) - £174
Faulty set-top box recorder
- Average annual cost (April @28.3p per unit) - £149
- Average annual new cost (Oct @52p per unit) - £273
- Average annual cost (Jan 2023 @62.4p per unit – if the cost is to rise by 20%) - £327
Over-sensitive outdoor security lights
- Average annual cost (April @28.3p per unit) - £50
- Average annual new cost (Oct @52p per unit) - £92
- Average annual cost (Jan 2023 @62.4p per unit – if the cost is to rise by 20%) - £109
Traditional (non smart) electric heating (heating empty home – 40% of time)
- Average annual cost (April @28.3p per unit) - £739
- Average annual new cost (Oct @52p per unit) - £1,355
- Average annual cost (Jan 2023 @62.4p per unit – if the cost is to rise by 20%) - £1,628
Electric underfloor heating (one extra hour per day)
- Average annual cost (April @28.3p per unit) - £309
- Average annual new cost (Oct @52p per unit) - £567
- Average annual cost (Jan 2023 @62.4p per unit – if the cost is to rise by 20%) - £680
Two 60w outside lights left on 10 hours per night
- Average annual cost (April @28.3p per unit) - £125
- Average annual new cost (Oct @52p per unit) - £229
- Average annual cost (Jan 2023 @62.4p per unit – if the cost is to rise by 20%) - £274
Electric towel rail
- Average annual cost (April @28.3p per unit) - £149
- Average annual new cost (Oct @52p per unit) - £273
- Average annual cost (Jan 2023 @62.4p per unit – if the cost is to rise by 20%) - £327
How to reduce the ‘phantom load’
Some things like fridges and freezers must stay on all the time - so with these appliances, you need to focus on efficiency and running costs.
An older or less efficient model could easily cost twice or three times as much to run as the most efficient models.
You may already be aware that appliances continue to drain energy, even when left on standby - so make sure things like your TV and phone charger are switched off when you're not using them.
Dr. Steve Buckley, Head of Data Science at Loop, says: "Many people I speak to are really worried about their energy bills right now, and sadly the situation is not set to improve for some time yet.
“The reality is that the only way we can lower our energy bills right now is to reduce the amount of energy we use and the key to that is measuring our use.
“If you measure it, you can control it. If you measure it, you can see the impact of changes you make."
