UK households urged to unplug 3 ‘vampire appliances’ draining bank account | Personal Finance | Finance

UK households are being urged to unplug three ‘vampire devices’ as soon as possible – because of the drain they put on your energy bills.

Thanks to ever increasing gas and electricity bills, most of us have become pretty adept at switching off appliances when we’re done with them. No more leaving the telly on for comfort or having your PC switched on just to save 30 seconds on start up – the cost of household bills have gone too high for such luxuries.

But many people still don’t realise how much their bank account is being sucked dry by so-called ‘vampire appliances’, which tend to consume a surprising amount of electricity even when they’re not being actively used, just from being plugged in and left on standby, pushing your bills up, which means more money is taken by direct debit to pay for it straight out of your bank account.

Many such devices have no way to defeat standby mode – like modern TVs – so you have to completely unplug them or switch them off at the wall to avoid their standby costs.

Energy experts from Grant Store are urging households across the UK to take action against so-called ‘vampire devices’, naming three in particular: washing machines, dishwashers and coffee machines, though there are others which are similarly draining.

They said: “Many people are unaware of just how much energy appliances continue to use even when they’re not actively in use. Devices like washing machines, dishwashers, and coffee machines are often left plugged in, quietly draining electricity in standby mode. To make a real difference to your energy bills, it’s crucial to go beyond simply turning them off—unplugging them or switching them off at the socket is key.

“There’s a common misconception that turning off appliances with a remote or switching them to standby mode is sufficient to stop energy use. However, many devices continue to draw power in this state, adding to higher energy bills. The most effective way to prevent this is by unplugging devices entirely, ensuring that no electricity is consumed when they’re not in use.”

“In the current economic climate, where every bit of savings counts, tackling standby power consumption can lead to noticeable reductions in energy bills. Unplugging what are often referred to as ‘vampire devices’ is a simple yet effective way to cut down on unnecessary energy costs. Over time, this small action can significantly reduce your monthly outgoings.”