Turning them off is a key strategy for energy conservation in every home, according to a real estate expert
Energy-sapping appliances are hammering your bills, experts are warning. Devices on standby in your house could be hitting you in the pocket.
Households might be surprised to learn that numerous home appliances can sneakily drain small amounts of power, which can accumulate and impact your energy bill over time. While they’re not the primary culprits for high electricity costs, switching them off is a key tactic for saving energy in every household.
Real estate guru and owner of Bramlett Residential, Eric Bramlett, has pinpointed the top five appliances you “should never” leave on standby. Instead, she said we should just turn them off where we can.
Games consoles
These powerful gadgets may have energy-saving modes, but they also come with significant downsides. They feature an on/off switch that puts them into a low-power standby state, reports the Express.
Yet many users neglect to fully power them down, or they turn off the TV while leaving the console on, which can rack up costs. Eric remarked: “They can be real energy hogs on standby. A client of mine saw their energy bills drop after turning off their console when not in use.”
The Energy Saving Trust experts have pointed out that gaming consoles account for about six percent of a household’s energy bill. Although it may seem minor, consistently turning off your console can result in substantial savings. An Energy Saving Trust expert also highlighted the importance of updating consoles as it “can improve energy management”.
Cable or satellite boxes
Eric warned that leaving appliances on standby could really bump up your energy bills, revealing, “A friend of mine found that unplugging their cable box when not in use made a difference in their monthly energy bills.” Standby mode for these gadgets soaks up just as much juice as game consoles.
Older appliances
As our trusted tech gets older, going from slick to sluggish, it guzzles even more electricity. A nagging old fridge is among the worst offenders for hiking up power consumption. It’s not wise to switch off such essentials outright, but investing in a natty new efficient fridge can be a smart financial fix.
Microwave ovens
When it comes to microwave ovens, these kitchen aids still sip on power just to flash the time. Yet, Eric points out you can snip a bit off your bill by pulling the plug or flicking it off at the wall with a power strip.
Desktop computers
And let’s talk about desktop computers – these beasts drain more cash than their portable pals, laptops. Eric’s top tip boils down to one simple action: “Don’t even get me started on those. Just shut them down when you’re done using them and watch your bills melt away.”
