Energy bill warning: Millions warned of 'vampire devices' adding over £200 to bills - full list

Energy bill warning: Millions warned of 'vampire devices' adding over £200 to bills - full list Millions of households could be wasting hundreds of pounds by leaving everyday appliances on standby Sign up to the Money Newsletter I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. Email address Sign up By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules.

Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us British households could cut their energy bills by more than £330 a year without spending a penny. Turning off so-called "vampire devices" and lowering the thermostat by one degree could deliver the savings as another expensive winter begins.

The tips come after Ofgem's latest price cap increase pushed the typical annual energy bill to £1,723 this month, £60 more than during the previous quarter. Gas prices have climbed by eight per cent, while four in ten consumers are already struggling to keep up with their energy costs. The price cap now stands at 26.32p per kWh. Many households could be wasting more than £200 a year by leaving everyday appliances on standby, according to comparison site Quotezone.co.uk.

A survey of 1,000 people across Britain found that 51 per cent rarely or never switch larger appliances off at the plug. Standby power could account for between five and 16 per cent of a household's total energy use. Energy prices have soared | GETTY The 13 "vampire devices" and their estimated annual standby costs are: Wi-Fi router: £34.80 Television: £32.70 Set-top box: £26.70 Microwave: £23.20 Games console: £17.20 Computer: £15.80 Smart speakers and home devices: £13.90 Electric shower: £12.60 Dishwasher: £9.80 Laptop: £7.32 Tumble dryer: £6.80 Washing machine: £6.80 Coffee machine: £5.70 Together, the 13 devices cost households approximately £213 a year while sitting on standby.

Wi-Fi routers were identified as the most expensive devices, costing £34.80 annually, although they are generally designed to remain switched on. Televisions add £32.70 a year, while set-top boxes consume another £26.70. Microwave clocks and sensors cost approximately £23.20, while games consoles left connected for updates add £17.20. Helen Rolph, energy savings expert at Quotezone.co.uk, said: "Standby mode is easy to forget because it's quietly ticking away in the background, but with the price cap rising by 4% this month, it all adds up.

Switching off at the wall is one of the simplest ways to cut bills." Households should also check whether their devices use an "instant on" setting, which can keep them in a more energy-intensive mode throughout the day, Ms Rolph advised. Adding more appliances to a nightly switching-off routine could produce considerable savings over time. Ms Rolph said: "Adding a 'switch off' policy before bed to include a few additional appliances may seem like a small step but it could lead to substantial savings in the long run and help take the pressure off other household bills."

A further £120 could be cut from annual bills by turning the thermostat down by just one degree, according to heating manufacturer Stelrad. Leaving 13 common household devices on standby could cost around £213 a year | GETTY Combined with the estimated £213 standby cost, the two free changes could save households approximately £333 a year. Turning the thermostat down by just one degree offers another significant saving. According to the Energy Saving Trust, reducing the setting from 22°C to 21°C could knock approximately £120 off annual bills.

Heating experts at Stelrad point out that thermostats work by switching the system on and off to maintain a target temperature. A single degree higher means the boiler runs for longer, consuming more energy over the heating season. One common misconception is that cranking the thermostat to its maximum will warm a room faster. In reality, setting it to 25°C instead of 21°C simply forces the heating to run until that higher temperature is reached, wasting energy without speeding anything up.

Ofgem's latest price cap increase pushed the typical annual energy bill to £1,723 this month | GETTY Stelrad also advises using thermostatic radiator valves to lower temperatures in rooms that are used less frequently. Nesta's 2023 research estimated this could save around £78 a year. Keeping furniture and curtains clear of radiators also helps heat circulate more effectively. Chris Harvey, Marketing Director at Stelrad, said: "Rather than making drastic changes overnight, we'd recommend gradually adjusting your thermostat and paying attention to how comfortable your home feels.

"Giving your heating system time to respond before making further adjustments can also help you avoid unnecessarily turning the temperature back up." Mr Harvey also highlighted that thermostat placement is often overlooked. If the device sits near a draughty door, in direct sunlight or close to a heat source, it may give an inaccurate reading of the main living area, causing the heating to activate or shut off at the wrong moment. He added that while cutting energy use matters, households should ensure their homes remain at a safe temperature, especially where older people, young children or those with health conditions are involved.

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