The 10 vampire appliances draining your bank account – and why your microwave NEEDS to be turned off at the wall
IF your purse is feeling tighter than ever before and you’re looking for ways to save cash, fear not, you’ve come to the right place.
It turns out that there’s a variety of appliances in your home that are draining your wallet, without you even realising.
From your microwave to your coffee machine, if you’re looking to cut costs this winter, you’ll need to take a second to turn off the 10 vampire appliances lurking in your home.
According to money experts at Quotezone.co.uk, 55 percent of Britons leave household appliances on standby.
Not only can this potentially cause up to 23% of wasted electricity, but it’s also costing cash too.
But the pros claimed that a simple one-second flick of a switch to turn electronics off when not in use can save lots of energy, and money, over a year.
As a result, the experts have shared the “most-hungry” devices within the home.
Tiffany Mealiff, price comparison expert at the company, explained: “The simplest way to reduce your energy usage and save money is to eliminate vampire appliances and avoid unnecessary waste.
“It may only seem like small costs, a fiver here and there, but it all adds up.
“Leaving items on our top 10 appliances list on standby throughout the year could cost nearly £80.
“Although it can be tedious to turn off your devices every time they’re not in use, it can make a difference to your household bills long term and avoids paying for energy you’re not using.”
Gaming console
If your little one has an Xbox or a PlayStation that’s constantly switched on, prepare to be stunned.
According to the pros, an annual standby bill from gaming consoles stands at £23.82 a year, as they maintain constant internet connectivity.
Desktop computer
Similarly, if you’ve got a desktop computer at home, you’ll need to switch it off when you’re finished with it.
With the rise of people working from home, you could save £11.58 per year by fully turning it off rather than opting for standby.
Laptop
And for those with a laptop, leaving it plugged in overnight could be a big mistake.
Although laptops are often unplugged, if you leave them plugged in overnight, they will continue to bleed power, costing £9 per year.
Smart speakers
Not only this, but smart speakers could also be costing you more than you thought too.
What energy bill help is available?
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
The expert explained: “Smart speakers consume 3W per hour on standby. People usually only use smart speakers for a few hours per day but if they’re left plugged in and on standby all year round then it’ll add £6.40 to annual electricity bills.”
Dishwasher
If you’re lucky enough to have a dishwasher, it’s important to turn it off from the plug to save cash.
Matching speakers in standby usage, dishwashers can add £6.44 to your annual bills – so even if you are doing multiple loads a day, it’s important to remember to switch it off.
Washing machine
While a washing machine’s standby use costs less than 1p per hour, it can quickly accumulate over a year.
According to the pros, not turning off your washing machine could alternatively power two 3W LED bulbs for eight hours daily throughout the year.
Tumble dryer
As well as turning off your washing machine when it’s not in use, when it comes to your tumble dryer, the pro noted: “Tumble driers are one of those appliances that are often naturally on standby all year round for convenience.
Money-Saving Tips from Gemma Bird: Save £2k Before Christmas
IF youre' looking to save cash, you've come to the right place, as here, Gemma Bird has shared her top tips that'll save you £2k before Christmas.
- Set a budget: Track your spending and create a realistic budget.
- Cut unnecessary costs: Cancel unused subscriptions and avoid impulse buys.
- Meal planning: Plan meals to reduce grocery bills and avoid takeaways.
- Sell unwanted items: Declutter and sell items online for extra cash.
- Cashback and discounts: Use cashback sites and hunt for discount codes.
- DIY gifts: Make personalised gifts to save money and add a personal touch.
- Pick up a seasonal shift: A really easy way to pick up a bit of extra cash in the winter is to find yourself some seasonal work.
Follow these practical tips from Gemma Bird to boost your savings before the festive season!
“But getting into the habit of switching it off before bed could help add to your savings.”
Microwave
Not only this, but your microwave mustn’t be forgotten either.
Even if you use it briefly on a daily basis for a couple of minutes at a time, microwaves are often left on continuous standby, which can have a significant impact on energy bills.
TV
And whilst many of us sit on the couch every evening watching a bit of TV, the pro stressed the importance of turning it off before bed.
According to the expert, TVs are one of the “lesser-known energy vultures”, especially with added devices such as set-top boxes.
Coffee machine
Finally, if you’re lucky enough to have a posh coffee machine in your kitchen, once you’ve had your caffeine fix, if you want to save cash, don’t forget to switch it off.
Tiffany stressed: “High-end coffee makers with built-in clock displays and keep-warm functions can suck £1.26 annually worth of energy in standby mode.”