Slashing the costs of vampire devices

A man dressed as a vampire with his fangs showing

If you’re wondering how to save energy and manage your bills throughout the winter you might want to consider how much vampire devices are costing you.

Vampire devices are those that drain energy and cost you money, even when not in use but left on standby or used inefficiently.

Confused.com have a comprehensive list of the biggest culprits and the amount they could be costing you.

Here are some quick tips to keep costs down.

Minimise standby mode: Turn off appliances at the mains, except for the fridge.
Unplug chargers: Disconnect chargers after devices are fully charged.
Turn off lights: Switch off lights when leaving a room and consider using energy-efficient LED bulbs, which can save about £15 per bulb annually.
Maximise appliance use: Fully load washing machines and dishwashers; use eco settings to save energy.
Utilise extension leads: Connect devices to one lead to turn off multiple devices efficiently, avoiding daisy-chaining and opting for surge protection.
Explore timer plugs: Use timer plugs to automatically turn off appliances when not in use.

How we can help

We’ve made our own guide to help you keep your home safe and warm this winter (PDF). In it you’ll find support resources to help with the cost of energy, tips on damp and mould and much more.

Swing by our office to collect a free e-on powerdown plug. Made for PCs, they can save you energy on other appliances linked to the PC like speakers or monitors. Supplies are limited so grab yours soon.