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Families 'waste ?86 a year' on inactive gadgets

Families 'waste ?86 a year' on inactive gadgets

Families 'waste ?86 a year' on inactive gadgets

Families are spending up to £86 a year on leaving electrical gadgets plugged in to charge or leaving televisions on standby, a study published today suggests.

According to Energy Saving Trust (EST) researchers, families are squandering money on electrical wastage and the impact is being felt on their fuel bills. Even homeowners who purport to be aware of their energy usage are spending more than the average estimated bill, studies showed.

The EST's research, on behalf of two government departments, tracked the household energy consumption around 250 homes. The study found households were spending between £50 and £86 per year on gadgets in a 'non-active' state - i.e., on standby or on charge - the equivalent to between nine per cent and 16 per cent of the average annual bill.

And researchers also discovered families were watching more television than first thought, with the average set being tuned in for an average of six hours a day rather than the previously estimated five.

"It's crucial that households across the nation can make informed decisions by having the right advice to help them reduce their energy usage and fuel bills," said EST chief executive Philip Sellwood. "This research shows that there's still more work to be done with consumer advice, product innovation and take-up of energy efficiency labelling."

He went on to note that the EST was working on a labelling scheme that would outline which appliances are most energy-efficient at the till point in stores, while the government also pledged to work with the EU to ensure green energy labels were displayed on all new electrical appliances to provide easy-to-read advice for consumers.

Regardless of the imminent labelling scheme, making the change to LED lighting represents real value for money around your home, as well as reducing carbon emissions.

Switching from traditional 60kW bulbs to GU10 LED lamps will cut energy consumption and, after the initial outlay, the cost of the bulbs will even out over the extended lifespan to pay for itself within five years.