YOUR television might be switched off, but it could still be quietly adding to your electricity bill, with energy experts warning that everyday household appliances are costing Australians money even when they are not being used.
Known as “vampire power”, the electricity consumed by devices left on standby can account for more than 10 per cent of household electricity use, according to consumer advocacy group CHOICE.
With electricity costs continuing to place pressure on household budgets, particularly for seniors living on fixed incomes, a simple flick of the switch could deliver welcome savings.
For households spending between $1200 and $1800 annually on electricity, standby power has been estimated to cost around $100 to $180 a year, although the actual amount depends on the appliances and how they are used.
Across Australia, wasted standby electricity has been estimated to cost households more than $800 million annually.
CHOICE expert Denis Gallagher said turning appliances off at the powerpoint was an effective way to stop unnecessary electricity consumption.
“Switching off an appliance at the powerpoint breaks the electrical circuit with the device,” Mr Gallagher said.
He explained that unplugging an appliance completely offered no additional energy savings compared with switching it off at the wall.
However, he cautioned that some appliances could lose stored settings when disconnected from power.
“The main thing to consider with this solution is any device that has stored information (such as the time of the day for a microwave),” he said.
Televisions, gaming consoles, microwaves, computers and entertainment systems are among the household devices that may continue drawing electricity while in standby mode.
Mr Gallagher said refrigerators were one of the few household appliances where constant operation was generally non-negotiable.
