British Gas, OVO, EDF, and Octopus customers warned of 'vampire devices' adding £147 to energy bills

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With the energy price cap due to rise from October, households on fixed incomes face particular pressure

Households across Britain are bracing for yet another blow to their finances this autumn, with energy costs set to climb once more.

But a simple change in daily habits could unlock savings worth up to £147 a year.

The culprits are so-called "vampire devices" lurking in homes up and down the country. These everyday appliances silently sip electricity around the clock, even when nobody is using them.

From televisions and set-top boxes to wifi routers and games consoles, the cumulative cost of leaving gadgets on standby is far greater than most people realise.

With the energy price cap due to rise from October, households on fixed incomes face particular pressure. State pensioners already contending with the loss of winter fuel payments will feel the squeeze most acutely.

Yet the solution requires no spending whatsoever. It simply means reaching for the off switch.

Ofgem's energy price cap is set to increase by four per cent from October 1, lifting the typical annual bill from £1,663 to £1,723 for those on standard or default tariffs.

That amounts to roughly £60 extra per year, or about £5 a month based on average consumption.

The cap determines the maximum unit rates and standing charges that suppliers may levy. Actual bills will vary depending on how much energy a household uses.

Gas customers face the steeper hit, with the average capped unit rate climbing from 7.33p to 7.97p per kilowatt hour. Electricity rates, by contrast, will edge up only marginally, from 26.11p to 26.32p per kilowatt hour.

There is some consolation for electricity users, however. The Government is scrapping VAT on domestic electricity bills between October and March, offering partial relief from the rising costs.

Data compiled by British Gas reveals just how much these vampire devices can add to annual bills when left plugged in around the clock.

Wifi routers top the list at £32.60 per year, followed by televisions at £30.60 and set-top boxes at £25.

Microwaves, which households leave on standby for an average of 23 hours daily, cost £21.70 annually. Games consoles add £16.10, while desktop computers contribute £14.80.

Smart speakers and home devices account for £13 a year, with electric showers drawing £11.80.

Further down the rankings, dishwashers cost £9.10, washing machines £6.30, and printers £5.

Even humble mobile phone chargers, left dangling from sockets, add £1.70 per year.

Individually, these sums appear modest. Taken together, however, they represent a significant and entirely avoidable drain on household budgets at a time when every penny counts.

British Gas energy expert Marc Robson advises switching devices off at the mains rather than leaving them on standby, particularly overnight.

"Try not to overcharge your mobile phone and laptop unnecessarily," he said. "As soon as your device is charged, try and get into the habit of unplugging it."

Mr Robson also recommends plugging multiple devices into a single extension lead that can be turned off at night, or investing in smart plugs.

"There are smart plugs you can buy which will let you check everything is turned off from your phone," he added.

Brian Horn, Senior Insight and Analytics consultant at the Energy Saving Trust, offered similarly practical guidance. "If something doesn't need to be on, then you should switch it off at the wall or unplug it," he said.

"If you've got a whole bunch of things plugged in behind your television, you maybe want to plug them all into one extension lead."

John Kirkman, a sales consultant at Love Energy Savings, warned that work-from-home equipment such as laptops, monitors and printers all consume electricity when left on standby.

Consumer electronics may seem like minor offenders individually, but they account for approximately six per cent of a typical household's energy bill, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

The organisation estimates that switching off all devices when not in use could save households around £55 per year. It noted that precise figures for individual appliances depend on several factors, including the model, its functionality and personal usage patterns.

"Addressing common energy-wasting habits helps households save money and supports environmental sustainability by reducing energy use," Mr Kirkman said. "In light of rising living costs, simple actions like switching off lights and using eco modes on appliances are great starting points."

For pensioners facing tighter budgets this winter, the message is clear. No new technology is required, no costly upgrades are necessary. Simply flicking the switch at the wall could make a meaningful difference when bills arrive.