A new study has revealed that leaving devices on standby could be costing UK households up to £141 a year. The research, conducted by Electric Radiators Direct, found that nearly two-thirds (64%) of Brits admit to leaving appliances on standby, with over a quarter (26%) doing so daily.
Energy efficiency expert Stephen Hankinson highlighted four of the most expensive devices to leave on standby, though the specific devices were not named in the source. He advised: "To avoid these extra costs, unplug your devices when they're not in use or use smart plugs with timers to automatically cut power."
The study also identified other costly habits. Over two-thirds (70%) of Brits still use their oven more frequently than an energy-efficient air fryer, despite air fryers being cheaper to run. For example, roasting 600g of chicken costs £0.28 in an electric oven but only £0.13 in an air fryer.
Another common waste is overfilling kettles, with 67% of Brits admitting to boiling more water than needed. This habit adds an estimated £11 to annual energy bills. Hankinson recommended: "Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you actually need."
