Ofgem has raised the energy price cap by 4% to a three-year high, and UK households could save an average of £147 per year by switching off so-called vampire devices
Energy bills are set to surge as the warm weather across the UK has given way to rain and plummeting temperatures. Making matters worse, regulator Ofgem raised its price cap last month by 4% to a three-year peak.
Research from British Gas suggests UK households could save an average of £147 annually by switching off so-called vampire devices — and hard-pressed Britons, including state pensioners, are being urged to unplug them.
Ofgem announced the price cap will increase by £60 annually — or £5 monthly — to £1,723 for the average household using both electricity and gas, if this level were maintained for a year.
The rise reflected elevated wholesale gas prices resulting from the continuing conflict in the Middle East, with unstable global markets remaining the primary driver of price fluctuations.
The latest price cap is calculated using Ofgem’s revised definition of a typical consumer, which took effect from July to account for declining household energy consumption.
Under its previous calculations, it would equate to £1,941 annually, up from the current £1,862. The increased October cap, which will remain in place for three months, will take effect as households begin to use their heating more frequently, pushing bills higher.
In a further setback for households, analysts Cornwall Insight released their latest projection showing a further 9% rise to the price cap in the New Year. Energy experts have drawn attention to the silent household appliances that should be switched off in order to achieve significant reductions on energy bills.
“In light of rising living costs, simple actions like switching off lights and using eco modes on appliances are great starting points.” They continued: “While some smart devices offer energy-efficient features, others, such as smart speakers and devices with standby power, may increase electricity consumption. It’s important for consumers to know the difference between energy-saving smart technologies and those that add to standby power costs.”
John Kirkman, a sales consultant at energy price comparison website Love Energy Savings, noted that it’s all too easy to leave work-related items such as laptops, monitors, printers and chargers on standby when not in use, but warned: “They all consume electricity. Devices left on standby can continue to draw power even when they aren’t actively being used, so turning equipment off completely at the end of the working day can help reduce wasted energy.”
Brian Horn, Senior Insight and Analytics consultant at the EST, said there were practical things consumers could do.. “If something doesn’t need to be on, then you should switch it off at the wall or unplug it,” he said. “Everything else, just try and make it as easy as possible to turn it off.
“If you make sure that the plug is accessible, if you can just switch it off, so you don’t need to unplug it. But if you’ve got a whole bunch of things plugged in behind your television, you maybe want to plug them all into one extension lead. “
Although laptops, televisions, and games consoles use relatively modest amounts individually, consumer electronics represent roughly 6% of your energy bill.
Set top boxes.
Set-top boxes and recorders left on standby mode can collectively add around €27 per device annually to electricity bills. Using eco modes during off-hours can help lower standby power consumption and associated costs.”
A set-top box from Sky or Virgin Media can cost £23.10, British Gas said. Switching devices off standby could save you as much as £45. It’s also worth examining the energy efficiency ratings of your appliances.
TV.
“Televisions left on standby mode can be significant contributors to standby power consumption, costing households around €28 per TV per year. Turning off TVs when not in use can lead to substantial energy savings.
Charging devices on standby.
“Charging phones, tablets, computers, and laptops overnight or for long periods can waste energy. While one device might not make a big difference, together, they can affect your energy bill.
Setting charging schedules and unplugging devices when fully charged can save energy over time. “. “Addressing common energy-wasting habits helps households save money and supports environmental sustainability by reducing energy use. Raising awareness and adopting energy-efficient habits are key steps toward long-term energy conservation.
Microwave.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, a microwave is considerably more energy-efficient than a conventional gas or electric oven. This is due to the fact that microwaves heat only the food itself rather than the surrounding air, meaning they consume less energy when cooking your meals.
Switching your microwave off after each use presents yet another opportunity to cut costs. The Energy Saving Trust has also highlighted that microwaves are among the appliances most likely to “eat up electricity” when left on standby. On average, households leave their microwaves on standby for approximately 23 hours daily, adding around £16.37 to annual bills.
Shower.
Remember to switch it off after use — a typical electric shower left plugged in or on standby can draw a small amount of phantom power, costing roughly £11.80 a year according to data from supplier British Gas.
Energy expert Marc Robson from British Gas recommends switching off appliances when they’re not being used, such as overnight, and avoiding leaving them plugged in unnecessarily — for instance, once devices are fully charged.. “At night, or when not in use, try switching off devices at the mains rather than switching to standby, as even the standby light on a television uses energy,” he said.
“Try not to overcharge your mobile phone and laptop unnecessarily. As soon as your device is charged, try and get into the habit of unplugging it. ” He says it’s also a good idea to add devices to an extension lead that can be switched off at night – or using smart plugs. “There are smart plugs you can buy which will let you check everything is turned off from your phone,” he added. “A smart meter’s in-home display can help to identify how much energy is used at different times of the day, so you can see where energy is wasted.”
Appliance Total cost per year.
1. Television £30.6.
2. Set top box £25.0.
3. Wifi router £32.6.
4. Microwave £21.7.
5. Games console £16.1.
6. Computer £14.8.
7. Shower £11.8 8.
Smart speakers/smart home devices £13.0.
9. Dishwasher £9.1.
10. Tumble dryer £6.3.
11. Washing machine £6.3.
12. Printer £5.0.
13. Mobile device charger £1.7.
