Fresh analysis has uncovered a silent budget drain hitting British homes, with common electrical devices left on standby mode collectively adding hundreds of pounds to annual energy costs. Experts warn that this overlooked expense, dubbed the 'phantom load', could be costing the average household as much as £630 every year.
The Scale of Standby Waste
Despite the ongoing cost of living pressures, a significant number of Britons continue to leave gadgets on standby overnight. A recent survey conducted by Quotezone.co.uk in October 2025 revealed that 58% of UK residents admit to leaving electrical items switched on rather than turning them off completely. The study, which polled 1,000 people, also found that over a third (34%) were unaware they could be losing more than £100 annually from this habit.
Shockingly, the research indicates that up to 30% of a home's total electricity bill can originate from appliances that are plugged in but not actively in use. This passive consumption occurs around the clock, with energy savings experts now advocating for a simple behavioural change: the '10pm phantom load rule', which involves switching off non-essential devices at bedtime.
The Top Ten Costly Culprits
Helen Rolph, an energy savings expert at Quotezone.co.uk, expressed concern over the findings. "It's worrying that nearly six in 10 people still leave their appliances on standby, especially when this could be costing households hundreds of pounds per year," she stated. "With energy prices still high and many families looking for ways to cut costs, turning appliances fully off is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take."
The study identified the worst offenders for standby consumption, with their potential annual costs:
- Faulty set-top box recorders - £162 per year
- Outside lights - £135 per year
- Extra fridges - £104 per year
- Desktop computers - £86 per year
- Electric towel rails - £62 per year
- Digital TV boxes - £40 per year
- Multi-room speakers - £30 per year
- Routers - £8.13 per year
- Coffee makers - £1.80 per year
- Microwaves - £0.92 per year
Turning Off for Tangible Savings
Ms. Rolph emphasised that the cumulative effect of these small drains is substantial. "From bigger appliances like extra fridges in the garage or desktop computers, to easy-to-forget devices like towel rails that often never get switched off, it all adds up," she explained. The recent increase in the energy price cap by £35 makes tackling this 'phantom load' an immediate priority for households seeking to recoup that additional cost.
The research, which sourced its energy calculations from Loop and Ofgem, highlights that simple actions like unplugging the set-top box overnight, switching off the desktop computer at the end of the workday, or installing a timer on an electric towel rail can lead to meaningful savings over the course of a year.
Adopting the '10pm rule'—making a habit of turning off non-essential devices at the plug before bed—can help households take control of their energy usage and keep more money in their pockets.
