An electrician has identified three “energy vampires” that quietly drive up electricity bills

Some household appliances continue to consume electricity even when they appear to be idle. According to British electrician James Harrison of Fusion Electrical in Stockport, these everyday devices can add hundreds of pounds to annual expenses. The expert advises taking a closer look at the appliances used daily at home and watching devices left in standby mode. Which appliances cost the most to run? The specialist identifies washer-dryers as some of the most energy-intensive appliances; they can cost over £100 a year to run. You can reduce costs by opting for cooler wash temperatures more often and air-drying clothes whenever possible. The situation is similar with standalone tumble dryers, which can add around £95 to the annual bill. Even partially switching from tumble drying to air drying helps lower electricity consumption. Another potentially expensive appliance is the chest freezer. The electrician estimates that running one costs approximately £75 a year, so owners should consider whether they truly need such a large additional freezer. Fridge-freezers should not be overlooked either. Since they operate virtually around the clock, even relatively low constant power consumption adds up over time; the expert estimates the cost at around £74 per year. For greater efficiency, keep the fridge temperature around 4°C and avoid leaving the door open for extended periods. A standard washing machine also impacts the total cost. Running it can cost around £60 a year. You can cut costs by running the machine with a full load and using lower-temperature cycles more often. Three household "vampires" An electrician recommends paying special attention to devices that remain plugged in after being turned off. He classifies chargers, televisions, and game consoles as so-called "vampires." Even in standby mode, they can continue to consume electricity. At first glance, any single appliance's consumption might seem negligible. However, if devices remain plugged in around the clock—and several are used simultaneously—the costs add up over months and years. So the expert offers a simple piece of advice: don't rely only on the unit's power button; whenever possible, unplug unused appliances directly from the wall socket. Sometimes, lowering your bill doesn't require buying new appliances or radically changing your habits. Start with a simple check: identify which devices really need to run constantly and which you can unplug completely after use.