UK households urged to unplug 2 common appliances now to slash energy bills

UK households are being urged to unplug two of the most commonly used home appliance as energy experts warn they could be quietly driving up electricity bills even when not in use. The warning comes from energy specialists at Grant Store, who say that leaving these devices on standby can cost families up to £50 a year in wasted electricity.

As energy prices remain stubbornly high and the cost of living continues to bite, experts are encouraging simple changes that could help households save cash without much effort.

"Televisions are among the worst household culprits for standby energy consumption," said a spokesperson from Grant Store. "Even when turned off with the remote, they can still draw up to 20 watts of electricity.

That adds up to around £30 a year, just for something that isn't even being used."

Satellite or set-top boxes, such as those from Sky or Virgin Media, also consume surprising amounts of power while sitting idle. Left on standby, they can add another £20 annually to household energy bills.

Experts recommend switching these devices off at the wall when not in use.

Many people mistakenly believe that their set-top boxes need to remain powered on for recording or software updates, but in most cases, these functions can be paused or scheduled without constant power.

"If you're not watching TV, turn both the television and the box off at the plug," said the Grant Store team. "It's a small habit that could make a real difference over the course of a year."

As autumn approaches and households begin to use more electricity for heating and lighting, energy-saving measures like this are becoming even more important-particularly for vulnerable groups, such as pensioners and those on fixed incomes.

Experts also suggest checking for eco settings or enabling automatic power-down modes on electronics, which can further cut unnecessary energy use.

"With energy prices still high, these small steps really do add up," the spokesperson added.

"Many people simply don't realise how much energy is wasted by devices they're not even using."

The advice follows a growing movement of practical tips aimed at helping UK households navigate rising costs, especially when small changes can lead to significant savings over time.