The two devices that can add a surprising amount to your energy bills (original) (raw)

State pensioners grappling with the loss of their £300 Winter Fuel Payment amid rising energy costs are desperately seeking ways to conserve money in the face of colder days ahead. In response, consumer magazine Which? has suggested a tip to help reduce expenses this winter.

They recommend that householders unplug dormant electrical items that add surprising amounts to electricity bills simply by being plugged in. It's generally known that running power-hungry appliances like tumble dryers, ovens or boilers can be costly.

But some appliances merely lurk in standby mode, silently increasing your bill without offering any advantages, reports the Express.

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Firstly, Which? says that wireless/smart speakers and soundbars are particularly egregious for sapping power while in standby. They said: "They're the most power-hungry gadgets in standby, costing around £6 per year (based on 20 standby hours per day)."

While £6 might seem trivial, this fee applies to each speaker and that's £6 spent for no return at all.

Secondly, they highlight PCs, games consoles, and TVs. The design of these electronics often means they are rarely completely powered down and remain in standby, ready to activate swiftly when needed.

However, most PCs now only take a few seconds longer to boot up from a cold start compared to coming off standby. Therefore, leaving it on standby merely adds to your bills without any significant advantage.

Many state pensioners are set to lose their £300 Winter Fuel Payment unless they are recipients of Pension Credit. According to Martin Lewis, as many as 800,000 people aren't claiming this benefit when they are eligible to do so.

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