British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON, Octopus customers urged to unplug seven devices by January

British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON and Octopus customers have been urged to unplug - or at the very least, switch off - a string of vampire appliances which are draining your bills. Energy specialists have pointed out a commonly overlooked drain on power ahead of the January price cap rise.

The cap has become a crucial indicator for British household finances since the energy crisis kicked off by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Before the war began, the cap was £1,216 but the energy market turmoil that followed the invasion threatened to push bills beyond £4,000.

In October 2022, the government stepped in to create the separate energy price guarantee to cap bills at £2,500. But British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON and Octopus customers have been warned to expect a "disappointing" rise in bills when January arrives after Christmas.

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"Many people don't realise that appliances like TVs and PCs continue to draw power when they're not in use," said a spokesperson from Grant Store. They highlighted: "These devices are designed to remain on standby, ready to spring into action, but this convenience comes at a cost. Over time, the energy they consume adds up, and for pensioners already struggling with rising bills, every penny counts."

Vampire devices, such as chargers and adapters for phones and laptops, also continue to consume small amounts of electricity when plugged in but not in use. As well as PCs, TVs, chargers and adapters, you should also be wary of microwaves, coffee makers, and toasters.

The experts further noted: "While it may seem insignificant, it's important to remember that this cost multiplies with each device left plugged in. For households with multiple gadgets, these small amounts can add up to a noticeable portion of their annual energy bill."

They also mentioned: "At a time when state pensioners are losing out on their Winter Fuel Payment, finding ways to cut down on energy costs has never been more crucial. Unplugging devices may seem like a small change, but every little bit helps when you're dealing with rising costs."