British Gas has advised customers to check which devices they are leaving plugged in and consuming power while on standby – including games consoles, laptops, TVs and set-top boxes – in order to save some money on the company’s soaring energy bills.
The warning these so-called “vampire devices” are draining power – expensive for you, but also unecessary for the planet – comes as the UK faces an unprecedented energy price hike, while gas and electricity companies continue to turn massive profits.
Indeed, the language of today’s call from British Gas has been criticised for passing the blame for high bills onto consumers. There have also been questions asked about the numbers British Gas has used to calculate its savings.
British Gas’ own research, published by BBC News, appears to show a possible average saving of £147 per year by switching “vampire devices” off.
This breaks down to £24.61 per year for leaving your TV on standby, £12.17 for “games consoles”, and £11.22 for “computers”.
Speaking to the BBC, British Gas energy expert Marc Robson advised buying a smart plug, and switching devices off at the mains.
The article has attracted a number of responses which have questioned these figures, particularly those surrounding the cost of leaving a TV on standby. (Since 2013, the European Commission has ruled that TVs must not use more than half a watt of power while in standby mode.)