Ofgem’s price cap rises by £63 today, the third increase this year, pushing the typical dual-fuel bill to £1,923. Yet the single biggest saving many households can make this month has nothing to do with switching tariff. It sits in a cupboard, glowing red.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, a simple device can kill the ‘vampire appliances’ that drain power silently, and the timing could not be better.
What vampire appliances cost a 3-bed semi
Energy Saving Trust puts standby consumption at 9–16% of household electricity. For a typical 3-bed semi using 3,000 kWh of electricity a year, that’s 270–480 kWh wasted. At the current price cap rate of 27.35p per kWh (Oct 2024), the cost lands between £74 and £131 a year. Add the standing charge, and the figure rises to £147.
The biggest culprits: set-top boxes (often pulling 15–20W even in standby), games consoles (8–15W), printers (3–5W), and microwave clocks (2–4W). A single Sky Q box left on standby 24/7 costs roughly £28 a year. A PlayStation 5 in ‘rest mode’ adds another £18.
How a £10 device fixes it
The solution is a standby eliminator or smart plug, a device that cuts power when the appliance is not in use. A basic timer plug costs £8–£12 at B&Q or Screwfix. A Wi-Fi smart plug, controllable via phone, runs £12–£20. Installation takes 30 seconds: plug it in, set a timer or use an app.
For a typical living room setup, TV, soundbar, games console, set-top box, four smart plugs can cut standby waste by 80%, saving roughly £50–£60 a year. That pays for the plugs in three months.
But the real win is for households with multiple devices. A family with two TVs, a desktop PC, a printer, a microwave and a coffee machine could save £100–£120 annually. That is nearly double the £63 price cap rise.
EPC rating and the bigger picture
Standby elimination does not directly improve an EPC rating, the assessment does not measure plug-in appliances. But it reduces total electricity consumption, which lowers the ‘energy cost’ metric within the EPC calculation. A 10% drop in electricity use can shift a D-rated home towards a C, particularly if combined with LED lighting and efficient white goods.
Ofgem’s price cap rise today shows small, cheap fixes matter more than ever. The government’s Great British Insulation Scheme and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme target big structural upgrades. But for renters, flat-dwellers, or anyone who cannot install solar or a heat pump, smart plugs are the fastest payback on the market.
What to do by when
Buy a pack of two or four smart plugs this week. Set them to cut power to entertainment systems overnight and during working hours. For devices that need a clock or timer (microwave, oven), use a timer plug that keeps the clock but kills the display backlight. Households on standard variable tariffs can also check if they qualify for the Warm Home Discount, applications open 14 October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if they carry UKCA or CE certification. Smart plugs are designed for continuous use and draw less than 1W themselves. Always buy from a reputable retailer and avoid unbranded imports from online marketplaces.
It depends on the model. Most modern boxes (Sky Q, Virgin Media V6) retain recordings for 30–60 minutes after power loss. To be safe, schedule the smart plug to turn off at 2am and back on at 6am, enough to save power without losing content.
