Unplugging these two items today will reduce energy bills 'significantly'

Daily Record

3 days ago

Energy experts believe these are the worst two appliances to leave on standby.
UK householders are being advised to immediately unplug two electrical items in their homes to reduce energy bills 'significantly'. Energy experts believe they have discovered two of the 'worst' appliances for homeowners to leave on standby, claiming switching them off will save them up to £50 per year.
‌
Experts at Grant Store said TVs and satellite TV boxes – use up a 'surprising amount' of power even when they are not being used and are left on standby mode.
‌
The warning comes after Ofgem recently confirmed the price cap - from the start of July to the end of September - will fall from £1,849 to £1,720, a saving of £129 over the year. Despite the the drop, energy bills this July are still 10 per cent higher than they were at this time last year.
‌
Switching off these devices completely rather than leaving them in standby mode could provide a financial boost to many cash-strapped households.
'Televisions are among the worst household culprits for standby energy consumption,' explain the energy experts at Grant Store.
‌
'Even when not in use, they can still draw up to 20 watts of electricity. Over the course of a year, that could add around £30 to your energy bill, just for something that isn't even on.'
Satellite TV boxes are another commonly overlooked device that continues to use power unless switched off at the wall.
According to the experts, set-top boxes such as Sky or Virgin Media devices can contribute a further £20 annually to your energy bills if left in standby mode.
‌
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
'The issue with set-top boxes is that many people assume they need to be left on to record or update, but that's rarely necessary unless you're actively using those functions,' the team at Grant Store add.
'If you're not watching TV, turn both the box and the television off at the plug. It's a simple habit that could save households money and cut unnecessary energy waste.'
‌
As the cost of living continues to impact households, especially pensioners and vulnerable people, energy-saving tips like these are gaining attention for their ease and effectiveness.
Experts also recommend looking at device settings to reduce standby consumption, such as activating eco modes or automatic power-down features.
'With energy prices still high, these small changes really do add up over time. They're especially useful for those who might not realise how much energy is being drained from devices they're not even using,' Grant Store's experts conclude.
‌
Householders were also recently warned of an energy-saving hack over fears it could cause a fire in their homes overnight. Experts urged cash-strapped households not to run powerful household appliances overnight in a bid to save money, as the risk of fire could far outweigh the financial benefit.
According to energy experts at Grant Store, using appliances like washing machines, tumble dryers, and dishwashers while you sleep could leave you vulnerable to devastating fires, especially when no one is awake to respond quickly to a fault.
Some households on off-peak energy tariffs may be tempted to run these high-powered devices during the night, when electricity prices are lower. But experts say this growing trend, often referred to as an 'energy bill hack,' comes with serious risks.