19 Devices You Should Unplug to Lower Your Electric Bill by £1,100

Standby Mode Still Uses Power

TVs, game consoles, and sound systems consume power in standby mode. Unplug them when not in use, or use a smart power strip to cut off power completely.

Tips:

• Use a smart power strip to automatically cut off power to multiple devices when they are not in use.
• Turn off devices at the wall when not in use, rather than leaving them on standby.

Potential yearly savings:

• Unplugging a TV can save approximately £16-£21 annually, depending on the size and type of the TV​.

Home’s total energy consumption %:

• TVs and entertainment systems account for about 7% of a home's total energy consumption​.

See also - Why Your Samsung TV Isn’t Turning On

Small but Mighty Energy Suckers

Chargers for phones, laptops, and other devices draw power even when not in use. Unplug them to avoid wasting electricity.

Tips:

• Use a power strip to easily disconnect multiple chargers at once.
• Only plug in chargers when devices need charging.

Potential yearly savings: £1-£2

Home’s total energy consumption %: Less than 1%​

Sleep Mode Isn’t Enough

Even in sleep mode, computers and monitors use electricity. Turn off and unplug these devices when you’re done for the day.

Tips:

• Enable power management settings to ensure devices enter low-power states when inactive.
• Use power strips with switches to easily turn off multiple devices simultaneously.

Potential Yearly Savings:

• Desktop computers: Up to £22 per year.
• Monitors: Up to £10 per year.

Home’s Total Energy Consumption %:

• Desktop computers: 3%
• Monitors: 1%

Clock Display Adds Up

Microwave ovens constantly draw power for the clock and internal electronics. Unplugging when not in use can help reduce energy usage.

Tips: Use the microwave efficiently by cooking multiple items together and keeping it unplugged when not in use.

Potential yearly savings: £8-£12

Home’s total energy consumption %: Approximately 0.5%-1%​

By unplugging your microwave oven when it’s not in use, you can prevent unnecessary power draw and contribute to lower energy bills.

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Remote-Controlled Units

Air conditioners, especially window units, can draw power even when turned off via remote control. Unplugging them can prevent this standby power consumption

Tips: Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air, and set your air conditioner to "ECO" mode to save energy. Regularly clean the filter and ensure your home is well-insulated to retain cool air more effectively.

Potential yearly savings:

Unplugging can save approximately £15 to £30 annually, depending on usage and unit efficiency​.

Home’s total energy consumption %:

Air conditioners account for about 13.6% of the average home's energy use​.

Ready Mode Consumes Energy

Printers and scanners in ready mode can consume a surprising amount of power. Unplugging them ensures they aren’t using energy when idle.

Tips:

• Turn off and unplug when not in use.
• Use power-saving settings.

Potential yearly savings:

• Up to £15 per year depending on usage and the model.

Home’s total energy consumption %:

• Approximately 1-2%

Listening Costs Energy

Smart speakers like Alexa or Google Home are always on standby, waiting for a command. Unplug them when not needed to save energy.

Tips: Use smart plugs to easily turn off multiple devices at once; Consider using a traditional speaker for non-essential functions.
Potential yearly savings: £3-£4
Home’s total energy consumption %: <1%

Energy-Hungry Entertainment

Gaming consoles often stay in a low-power state when turned off. Unplugging them ensures they’re not wasting electricity.

• Tips: Use a smart power strip to easily cut off power when not in use.
• Potential yearly savings: £11.10 - £22.20
• Home’s total energy consumption %: Approximately 1%

Constant Power Draw

Devices with digital displays, like clocks and radios, continuously draw power.

Tips: Consider using battery-operated options for clocks and radios, or make it a habit to unplug these devices when they are not needed to reduce the constant power draw.

Potential yearly savings: Unplugging digital clocks and radios can save you around £5-£10 annually, depending on the number of devices and their power consumption​.

Rarely Used, Always On

If you don’t use your DVD or Blu-ray player often, unplug it. These devices can draw power even when not in use

Potential yearly savings: £2-£3

Home’s total energy consumption %: 0.5%

Idle Energy Drain

Coffee makers often stay on to maintain settings or keep the clock running. Unplug them to avoid unnecessary energy drain.

Tips:

• Use a timer to automatically turn off your coffee maker after use.
• Opt for a coffee maker with an energy-saving mode.

Potential yearly savings:

• £1.80 per year

Home’s total energy consumption %:

• Approximately 0.5%

Minimal Use, Maximum Waste

Electric toothbrush chargers draw power continuously. Unplug them when your toothbrush is fully charged to save energy.

• Tips: Charge only when needed and unplug immediately after the toothbrush is fully charged.
• Potential yearly savings: £0.39
• Home’s total energy consumption: 0.01%

Small Appliance, Big Impact

Toaster ovens can consume power when plugged in, even if not in use. Unplugging them can help lower your electric bill.

Tips:

• Unplug the toaster oven when not in use to prevent accidental activation and reduce energy consumption.
• Regularly clean and maintain your toaster oven to ensure optimal performance and safety.

Potential Yearly Savings: £0.68 per year
Home’s Total Energy Consumption %: 0.01%

Consistent Energy Consumers

Water heaters are essential for daily life, but they are significant energy consumers. They use a considerable amount of electricity to keep water heated consistently.

Tips:

• Lower the thermostat setting on your water heater.
• Insulate your water heater and pipes.
• Consider switching to a tankless or solar water heater for better efficiency.

Potential Yearly Savings:

• £40-£75 depending on usage and efficiency improvements.

Home’s Total Energy Consumption %:

• Approximately 13.6%​

By implementing these tips, you can reduce the energy consumed by water heaters, leading to notable savings on your electricity bill.

Seasonal Devices

These devices can draw power even when switched off. Unplug them when not in use, especially during off-seasons.

Tips: Use heaters and fans only when needed and consider using programmable thermostats or timers to reduce their usage further. Ensuring your home is well-insulated can also minimize the need for these devices.

Potential yearly savings: £30-£50, depending on usage patterns and device efficiency.

Home’s total energy consumption %: Around 2-3% for portable heaters and fans, based on typical usage scenarios.

Constant Power Usage

Cable and satellite boxes are notorious for consuming power continuously.

Tips:

• Use a smart power strip to cut off power completely when the box is not in use.
• Consider using streaming services instead of traditional cable/satellite boxes to reduce energy consumption.

Potential Yearly Savings: £18-£22

Home’s Total Energy Consumption %: 6-9%

Continuous Use Appliances

Fridges and freezers are among the most energy-intensive appliances in your home since they run 24/7 to keep your food fresh and safe. Unplugging them isn't practical, but there are several ways to reduce their energy consumption.

Tips:

• Keep your fridge at a temperature between 3°C and 5°C, and your freezer at -18°C.
• Ensure the appliance is not placed near heat sources like radiators or ovens and is kept out of direct sunlight.
• Clean the condenser coils regularly to improve efficiency.
• Ensure proper ventilation around the fridge and freezer by leaving space at the sides, back, and top.

Potential Yearly Savings: By upgrading to an energy-efficient model and maintaining it well, you could save up to £50 annually on your energy bill​.

Home’s Total Energy Consumption %: Fridges and freezers account for approximately 13% of the average household's energy consumption.

Energy-Hungry Appliances

Washing machines and dishwashers are among the biggest energy consumers in the home, primarily due to the energy required to heat water. Choosing energy-efficient models and using eco-friendly settings can make a significant difference.

Tips:

• Use the eco or short cycle settings whenever possible.
• Only run full loads to maximize efficiency.
• Consider washing clothes at lower temperatures.

Potential yearly savings: Up to £44.20 for washing machines and £54.83 for dishwashers.

Home’s total energy consumption %: Approximately 14% for combined washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers.

High Energy Users in Cold Months

Heaters are huge energy consumers, especially during colder months. They account for a substantial portion of a home's energy usage, particularly when they run for extended periods to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.

Tips: Use them only when necessary, and consider using them in smaller, confined spaces to maximize efficiency. Ensure they are unplugged when not in use to prevent energy wastage.

Potential yearly savings: Unplugging or minimizing use can save around £648 annually, assuming usage of a 1,500-watt heater for 8 hours daily at a rate of £0.15 per kWh.

Home’s total energy consumption %: Approximately 31.3% of total home energy consumption is attributed to heating systems.

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