Leaving your electrical devices, such as fridges and microwaves on standby can cause you an extra £145 a year – 16% of the average energy bill. The energy efficiency experts at Electric Radiators Direct have put together a new study where they have revealed the cost of standby devices bi-weekly, monthly and yearly – and the yearly cost is the same total as two months worth of energy bills.

Households are wasting nearly double the cost of a morning coffee by not turning off their electrical devices when on holiday – which is equivalent to £145 per year. Whilst many are gearing up to take a two-week trip during the Easter holidays, what might not be on your to-do list, is to check your household devices are off at the plug, or risk paying more than you should be.

These devices, dubbed “vampire devices” are using electricity whilst they’re resting, draining energy and money from your bank account at the same time.

Devices left on standby are costing over £12 per month – the same as a Netflix subscription.

The study, conducted by energy experts at Electric Radiators Direct, has revealed that the simple mistake of not unplugging 20 common appliances whilst you’re away from home for two weeks, is costing £6.80.

With the average coffee now costing Brits £3.35, you could indulge in two of these for the same price.

The biggest savings can be made by turning off game consoles and gaming PCs, which cost £4.87 a month, that’s a saving of £58.44 a year.

On the other hand, the cheapest appliances to have on a constant standby are electric hobs at a micro-amount of 5p per month, 60p per year.

Energy efficiency expert Stephen Hankinson from Electric Radiators Direct says: “Putting something into standby mode is not the same as totally switching off a device or unplugging it. You’re only really putting the device to sleep.

“This means that it will be drawing out some electricity in the background, which is where the phrase ‘vampire device’ comes from.

“It sounds so simple but switching your appliances off at the wall really is the best way to ensure you’re not spending your hard-earned income on keeping things in standby mode.

“The cost of a couple coffees might not concern you, however £145 is a big food shop, two tanks of petrol or even a nice meal out. There really are much better ways to use this money than giving it to the energy companies.”