Save hundreds on your energy bill by stopping five simple habits

With energy bills set to rise, households across the UK will be preparing for another increase. While some prices may be beyond control, experts say that some everyday household habits and overlooked appliances could be quietly adding to bills without people realising. Understanding which appliances use the most energy and adopting simple habits to use them more efficiently can make a noticeable difference.

Home expert Nancy Emery from Tap Warehouse is urging households to watch out for “vampire devices”. These are electrical items that continue drawing power even when they appear to be switched off. According to the Energy Saving Trust, households in Great Britain could save around £45 a year simply by turning appliances fully off standby mode.

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Nancy said: “Many of us assume that once an appliance is switched off, it stops using electricity altogether. But some devices can continue drawing power in standby mode, quietly using energy day and night.

“While the cost of running a single appliance may seem small, multiple devices left plugged in across the home can add up over time.

“It’s not just standby power households should be thinking about, either. Everyday habits around the home can quietly increase energy and water use without us noticing.”

Devices such as televisions, game consoles, coffee machines and chargers can continue to draw power even when not actively in use.

Also, turning off microwaves and air fryers can help save money and be much safer.

Nancy said: “Dishwashers are generally more efficient than washing up by hand, but running half-empty cycles uses unnecessary water and electricity.

“Waiting until the machine is full and using eco settings where available can help reduce waste.”

According to the Energy Saving Trust, dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers account for around 14% of a typical household energy bill, making efficient use worthwhile.

A dripping tap can waste thousands of litres of water annually, especially if hot water is involved.

Often the issue is caused by a worn cartridge or washer, a small component that can cost as little as £5.

Nancy added: “If left, a trickling tap can waste around 5,500 litres of water annually, equivalent to roughly three months of daily showers on top of your regular use. That could add around £14-£16 per year to household bills from just one leaking tap.

Overfilling the kettle is one of the most common energy-wasting habits in UK kitchens. If you overfill the appliance by just half a litre a day, that’s around 365 litres of unnecessarily heated water each year, according to the experts.

Leaving lights on in rooms that aren’t being used can waste electricity, particularly if they’re left on for long periods.

Nancy said: “Even with LED bulbs, unnecessary lighting can add up over time. If a light is needed overnight, consider using a low-energy plug-in night light instead. In fact, the Energy Saving Trust says this can save around £8 a year.”