Ecotricity Explains: Vampire devices
Press enquiries
If you are a journalist with a media enquiry, please contact our Press Office by email at [email protected]
For all other general enquiries, please call 0345 555 7100 or email [email protected].
Could you save money by turning your appliances off at the wall? For most UK homes, the answer is yes.听听
What are vampire appliances?听
Vampire appliances are devices which continue to consume power when they鈥檙e in standby mode. Let鈥檚 take a TV for example 鈥� when your favourite show has finished, you reach for the remote to turn it off and you might think the job鈥檚 done. However, if it鈥檚 still on standby, it鈥檚 still receiving a flow of current and is therefore still using energy which you鈥檒l have to pay for.听
The powering appliances left on standby 鈥� with the main culprits being your TV, set top box and internet router.
When should you turn the plug off at the wall?听
皇冠体育app get this question a lot 鈥� and the answer is, it depends on the appliance. As we mentioned above, a TV will keep using energy on standby 鈥� you can generally tell when there鈥檚 a little red light on it showing it鈥檚 still receiving power.听听
The same can be said for a charger 鈥� if you leave your phone on charge overnight, it will power up to 100% and then continue to use electricity unless you turn the plug off. Even if you unplug your phone and keep the charger turned on at the socket, it鈥檒l keep using electricity.听听
Did you know?
Apple launched Optimised Battery Charging a few years ago, helping to reduce wear on iPhone batteries and improve lifespan by reducing the amount of time spends at 100% charge.听
When charging, you鈥檒l get a notification to let you know when your device should be fully charged. This means you can also plan when to remove it from charge, helping preserve your device鈥檚 battery life and prevent energy waste 鈥� as well as saving you money.听
You don鈥檛 necessarily have to turn your plug socket off at the wall if you鈥檝e not got something plugged in 鈥� once the circuit is broken (in other words, if there isn't a plug receiving power) the current doesn't have anywhere to flow, so you鈥檙e not wasting energy.听
It鈥檚 important to note that there are still some appliances which can鈥檛 be turned off, like your fridge and freezer. These aren鈥檛 in standby; they still need the energy to keep the food fresh and cold. However, you can still save money by making sure they鈥檙e working efficiently. For example, if your fridge is clogged with ice, it鈥檒l be using more energy.听听
Tip: Your fridge should be set to between 3掳C and 5掳C, and your freezer should be set to -18掳C or below.听
How much could you save? *听
*Data from Centrica, based on Price Cap rates
Top tip
Your in-home display (IHD) gives you your usage data in near real time, so you can work out which appliances are using more energy and adding to your bill.听
Not got a smart meter yet? Give our team a call on 0345 555 7100 to book your installation today.听
Similar articles
Grid Faeries power the LIDO festival to sustainable success
The recent LIDO 2025 festival in London鈥檚 Victoria Park ran over two weekends in June, featuring a host of amazing headliners and supporting acts, including Jamie xx, Charli XCX and London Grammar.
More
Four key takeaways from the Festival of Sustainable Business
皇冠体育app were on the ground with other green pioneers from across southwest England at the Festival of Sustainable Business. Here鈥檚 what we learned from the event
More
Spending review 2025: our verdict
June marked an important moment for the UK as the government unveiled its latest Spending Review.
More