Switch off and save

Most of us know that there are devices around the house which constantly use electricity, however this list might make it a bit more real. Most of these can be switched off over night without any real impact and will save you money in your electricity bill. 

Please note that these are indicative and the savings are per year based on the item being switched off at the socket for 8 hours each night (some can be switched off and switched on when needed for example radio & house alarm). Older devices will likely use more and newer devices may use less. The key is to have a think about what devices you use and think about if they could (or should) be switched off.

£5 per year saving for each of these switched off at the socket for 8 hours a night.

• TV: 5W so 40Wh in 8 hours
• Radio: 5W 
• Wireless phone: 5W
• Microwave (w/clock): 5W
• Computer LCD monitor on Standby: 5W
• Computer stereo speakers: 5W
• Ink jet printer: 5W
• Surge protector: 5W
• House alarm (not active) 5W
• Standard internet router: 5W

£10 per year saving for each of these switched off at the socket for 8 hours a night.

• DVD or Blu-Ray player 10W so 80Wh in 8 hours
• Desktop computer (off): 10W

And these are the biggies 

• Gaming console (off, but ready): 10W-20W so 80Wh-160wh in 8 hours - £10-20 saving per year
• Fibre TV/internet box: 30W so 250Wh in 8 hours - £30 saving per year
• DVR: 40W so 320Wh in 8 hours- £40 saving per year
• Plugged in laptop: 50W so 400Wh in 8 hours- £50 saving per year
• Desktop computer (sleeping): 80W so 640Wh in 8 hours £80 saving per year

Tip: You can measure your devices energy consumption using a device like the one below. Plug it in to a socket, then plug the device into it and it will tell you it's energy use. They're about £20 to buy, however if a group of people by it together (say 10 of you) that will be £2 each. It will take a day to measure your devices then pass it on. Once everyone's measured you can sell it on Facebook Marketplace or eBay for say £10 and its end up only costing you £1 each:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Decdeal-Electricity-Consumption-Analyzer-AC230V-250V/dp/B07QZYPQ4M/

Once you've identified possible items to switch off, the simplest way to save the electricity these items use is to switch these off at the socket when not in use. If you don't fancy switching them off have a think about a smart switch or timer like the one below - it uses a lot less (about 1W an hour or 24W in a day). You can use one per device or use it to control a multi-socket extension which has more than 1 device on it (ie one for TV, DVD player and games console)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=smart+plugs