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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Jacob Rawley

Warning to do daily 'standby checks' on energy-draining vampire appliances

Households should carry out a 'standby check' on electrical appliances to ensure that energy isn't being wasted amid concerns over supplies.

Experts are issuing urgent advice as well as a 'stark warning' following the National Grid's scheme to avoid blackouts being run for a second day in a row.

The scheme - called the Demand Flexibility Service - sees households paid to switch off electrical devices during peak hours to prevent blackouts.

The energy experts at Go Compare are now advising consumers to check vampire appliances such as TVs, radios and the WiFi to make sure that they are off overnight and when nobody is home.

Vampire devices are electrical appliances that drain power when left on standby or when they aren't in use.

Gareth Kloet, energy spokesperson at Go.Compare, said: "Whilst we understand the logic behind DFS, we would encourage all households to think carefully about energy use and ways to reduce it especially during peak times.

"In addition to using less during peak times of the day, we would encourage all UK householders perform a ‘standby check’ before leaving the house or going to bed: as well as checking windows are shut and doors locked, look at whether devices are turned off or merely on standby.

"Making sure TVs, radios and the WiFi are turned off overnight can help relieve strain on energy supplies – as well as curbing energy use in the home and saving a little money."

The expert said that it is worrying that those who have faced record-breaking energy bills now face the worry of potential blackouts during the coldest part of the year.

The Demand Flexibility Service was initially seen as a 'worst-case scenario', according to Go Compare, and is in-place to help the UK avoid planned three-hour blackouts.

National Grid announced that blackouts were a possibility last year and could occur on 'really cold' evenings in January and February.

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