British households are being warned to take immediate action against hidden 'vampire devices' silently inflating their energy bills, following the announcement of another price cap increase set for January 2026.
The energy regulator, Ofgem, has confirmed a 0.2% rise in the energy price cap for the period covering January to March 2026. This comes on the heels of a recent October increase, which saw the cap rise by 2% to £1,775 from 1 October.
The Cost of Standby: The Worst Offenders
Research from the energy supplier Utilita reveals a startling fact: the average UK home has ten items left plugged in and draining power even when they are not actively being used. This phantom energy use contributes significantly to annual bills.
Video Game Consoles: A major culprit, consoles continue to consume a considerable amount of energy in standby mode. Turning them off completely at the plug is a simple way to make savings.
Televisions on Standby: Utilita's data shows that while a TV uses 40 watts when on, it still draws 10 watts when left on standby. This means leaving it in standby all day could cost you 4p daily, even if you don't watch it.
Everyday Drains on Your Finances
Printers: Often forgotten, a printer uses around 40 watts when active and a further 4 watts on standby, steadily adding to your energy consumption.
Baby Monitors: While essential for parents, leaving a baby monitor on constantly uses about 15 watts. This translates to roughly 9p per day, or a substantial £32.85 over a full year.
Laptops: Running a laptop for five hours uses about 75 watts, costing around 10p at current rates. However, leaving it on idle or standby uses 3 watts, adding an extra 2p per day and totalling £6.92 annually.
Smart Speakers: These popular devices may seem low-energy, using only 3 watts when active and 2 watts on standby. Yet, this small drain still adds up to an extra £4.62 to your yearly energy bill.
Taking Control of Your Energy Costs
With energy bills set to climb once more, the message from experts is clear: proactive measures are essential. Identifying and switching off these vampire devices at the socket is a straightforward and effective step every household can take to combat rising costs and reduce unnecessary energy waste.
