Ecotricity Explains: Vampire devices
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Could you save money by turning your appliances off at the wall? For most UK homes, the answer is yes.
What are vampire appliances?
Vampire appliances are devices which continue to consume power when they’re in standby mode. Let’s take a TV for example – when your favourite show has finished, you reach for the remote to turn it off and you might think the job’s done. However, if it’s still on standby, it’s still receiving a flow of current and is therefore still using energy which you’ll have to pay for.
The average UK household wastes £146.53 each year powering appliances left on standby – with the main culprits being your TV, set top box and internet router.
When should you turn the plug off at the wall?
We get this question a lot – and the answer is, it depends on the appliance. As we mentioned above, a TV will keep using energy on standby – you can generally tell when there’s a little red light on it showing it’s still receiving power.
The same can be said for a charger – if you leave your phone on charge overnight, it will power up to 100% and then continue to use electricity unless you turn the plug off. Even if you unplug your phone and keep the charger turned on at the socket, it’ll keep using electricity.
Did you know?
Apple launched Optimised Battery Charging a few years ago, helping to reduce wear on iPhone batteries and improve lifespan by reducing the amount of time spends at 100% charge.
When charging, you’ll get a notification to let you know when your device should be fully charged. This means you can also plan when to remove it from charge, helping preserve your device’s battery life and prevent energy waste – as well as saving you money.
You don’t necessarily have to turn your plug socket off at the wall if you’ve not got something plugged in – once the circuit is broken (in other words, if there isn't a plug receiving power) the current doesn't have anywhere to flow, so you’re not wasting energy.
It’s important to note that there are still some appliances which can’t be turned off, like your fridge and freezer. These aren’t in standby; they still need the energy to keep the food fresh and cold. However, you can still save money by making sure they’re working efficiently. For example, if your fridge is clogged with ice, it’ll be using more energy.
Tip: Your fridge should be set to between 3°C and 5°C, and your freezer should be set to -18°C or below.
How much could you save? *
*Data from Centrica, based on Price Cap rates
Top tip
Your in-home display (IHD) gives you your usage data in near real time, so you can work out which appliances are using more energy and adding to your bill.
Not got a smart meter yet? Give our team a call on 0345 555 7100 to book your installation today.
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