Happy Halloween! While the ghosts and ghouls are out on the streets, there is a different kind of monster lurking in your living room: the Energy Vampire.
An “energy vampire” is an appliance that continues to drain electricity even when you think it is turned off. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that households spend millions every year on “standby” power. Recent data suggests the average UK home could be wasting up to £147 a year just by leaving things plugged in.
The Main Culprits
- Televisions: Modern TVs are better than they used to be, but if you have set-top boxes or soundbars connected, they often draw power 24/7 to download updates or remain ready for “instant on.”
- Game Consoles: This is a big one. Consoles often sit in “rest mode” to charge controllers or download patches. This can cost £10–£20 a year per console.
- Microwaves: If your microwave has a digital clock that is always lit up, it is sipping electricity every hour of the day.
- Phone Chargers: A charger plugged into the wall (without a phone attached) draws a tiny amount of power. It’s negligible on its own, but if you leave five chargers plugged in all year, it adds up.
The Silver Bullet The solution is simple: Switch it off at the wall. If you have a cluster of devices (like behind the TV), use an extension lead with individual switches so you can kill the power to everything at night with one click. It is the easiest way to stop money bleeding out of your bank account.
