£105 warning for ‘vampire devices’ boosting energy bills | UK

An expert has issued a stark warning about ‘vampire appliances’, suggesting they could be to blame for higher energy bills. Despite their nightmarish moniker, these devices are probably not what you think.

Often overlooked, they are actually quite ordinary items, but they can actually suck up electricity even when they are ‘switched off’. Unplug them and you could save up to £105 a year as the UK continues to battle the cost of living crisis, according to Gordon Wallis of Your NRG.

“By focusing on these particular ‘vampire devices’, you can take practical steps to reduce your energy consumption and save money on your bills,” said energy expert Gordon. “Chargers and adapters for gadgets like phones and laptops are some of the most common culprits. Even when they’re not in use, they draw small amounts of energy, which can build up over time.”

Previous research suggests that phone chargers typically use around 0.1 to 0.5 watts of electricity when plugged in without charging a phone, according to LDNIO. That may seem like too little to be costly, but Gordon says you could save as much as £5 to £10 a year by switching them off.

However, this may depend on the number of chargers you have and how much power they draw in standby mode.

Meanwhile, Gordon suggests that standby entertainment systems such as TVs and games consoles are also “infamous” for using too much energy when switched off. He explained: “Using a smart power strip to cut the power to all of these devices at once could save you around £10 to £20 a year, depending on the number of devices and their energy use.”

Plus, turning off desktops, printers, monitors and any associated devices could save you as much as £20 to £50 a year, he adds. And while you might be wary of unplugging your Wi-Fi router, doing so on holiday could save you between £5 and £10 a year.

Gordon continued: “Kitchen appliances like microwaves, coffee machines and toasters may seem harmless, but even these little gadgets can waste energy when plugged in and not in use. By unplugging them or using a power strip, you could save an extra £5-£15 a year, depending on how many appliances you have and how much energy they use.”

This equates to savings of up to £105 per year – all from just one switch.