Five ‘vampire' gadgets that drain £300 a year from your bank account are revealed – is yours plugged in?

The Sun

5 hours ago

EXPERTS have revealed the common household appliances that are draining your wallet while you sleep.
And most homeowners aren't even aware of the high costs associated with these items.
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A survey from Utilita Energy found that 42% of energy account holders are unaware of the running cost of these everyday high-power electrical items.
Chris Madikian, an electrical expert at The Local Electrician, rounded up the devices that run continuously or use standby power, which could be costing your household a significant sum over time.
He explained that many appliances draw power even when appearing inactive, with some older models often being even less efficient.
"When thinking about big energy consumption, many people focus on the usual suspects, washing machines or tumble dryers, but overlook the constant drain from devices that run 24/7," he said.
The expert highlighted the most common unexpected energy consumers found in most homes.
Old fridges and freezers
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He revealed that certain fridge and freezer models may be racking up your energy bills.
"Your fridge runs constantly, and older models of 10 years old or more use substantially more electricity than newer ones," he said.
"Fridge freezers often draw between 100 and 250 watts, with older models costing households almost £300 a year.
"So making sure what you have is running efficiently is a top priority, and this can be done by checking the energy rating."
The expert also recommended making sure your fridge door is sealed properly and cleaning the appliance as well.
Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now
Set-top boxes and gaming consoles
Data from Confused.com showed that game consoles left on standby cost UK households 60 times more than TVs left on standby.
This amounted to a whopping £231 million a year collectively.
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"Many of us likely leave these in standby mode, thinking they use minimal power," the expert explained.
"However, many set-top boxes and gaming consoles draw around three to five watts of electricity even when not actively used."
Chris noted that disconnecting these devices or using smart plugs could save households between £40 and £60 annually.
Vampire appliances that are draining your money
Appliance expert Ian Palmer-Smith revealed the eight electrical products that may be increasing your household bills, even when they are left on standby.
Washing machines
Dishwashers
Tumble dryers
TVs
Microwaves
Computer monitors
Printers
Coffee machines
Outdoor security lights
The energy expert explained that your exterior security lights could also be costing you more than you think.
"Motion-activated security lights can use surprising amounts of electricity if poorly adjusted," he said.
"If your lights get triggered by passing wildlife or swaying branches, this can waste energy throughout the night."
He recommended making changes to your sensitivity settings or changing them to LED bulbs, which are generally more energy efficient.
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Electric towel rails
While electric towel rails are a nice touch in the winter months, they can significantly inflate your energy bills.
"Electric towel rails often run continuously in bathrooms, and it's not something many of us think about in terms of energy consumption," the expert pointed out.
"Many can use between 60 and 200 watts an hour."
Installing a timer or thermostat can help manage their operation and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
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Chargers and power adapters
And finally, the chargers for your various electrics could also be racking up your bills, even when not in use.
"You may have several chargers plugged in around your home that continue drawing small amounts of power even when nothing is connected to them," Chris said.
"Even though one charger not in use can only amount to just a few pence a year, having multiple chargers around the house can make this number build up."
He suggested unplugging chargers when not in use or using power strips that can be switched off completely.
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The expert advised people to search their homes to find anything that can be secretly adding to their energy bills.
"Walk through your home and note anything that stays plugged in continuously," he said.
"Consider upgrading older appliances, especially fridges and freezers, to more efficient models."
Smart meters can help identify usage patterns and find unexpected energy guzzlers.
Many UK energy suppliers now offer these devices free of charge to customers.
Plus, a change to energy bills could help save up to £129 per household.
And a full list of 22 energy firms offering payouts of £150 to UK households.