As energy bills continue to rise across the UK, households are being urged to be more mindful of everyday energy-saving habits and appliances that could be quietly adding to their bills without them realising07:19, 01 Jul 2026With energy bills poised to climb once more, households up and down the UK are bracing themselves for yet another increase. While some costs may be entirely out of our hands, experts warn that certain everyday habits and neglected appliances could be silently inflating bills without homeowners even noticing.‌Getting to grips with which appliances consume the most energy and adopting smarter ways of using them could make a real difference to your monthly outgoings.‌Home expert Nancy Emery from Tap Warehouse is urging households to be on their guard against "vampire devices" — electrical items that continue to draw power even when they appear to be turned off. According to the Energy Saving Trust, households across Great Britain could save around £45 a year simply by switching appliances off standby mode completely.‌Nancy said: "Many of us assume that once an appliance is switched off, it stops using electricity altogether. But some devices can continue drawing power in standby mode, quietly using energy day and night."While the cost of running a single appliance may seem small, multiple devices left plugged in across the home can add up over time.‌"It's not just standby power households should be thinking about, either. Everyday habits around the home can quietly increase energy and water use without us noticing."Not unplugging appliancesDevices such as televisions, game consoles, coffee machines and chargers can continue to draw power even when not actively in use. Additionally, switching off microwaves and air fryers can help cut costs and improve safety.Running the dishwasher half-emptyNancy said: "Dishwashers are generally more efficient than washing up by hand, but running half-empty cycles uses unnecessary water and electricity.‌"Waiting until the machine is full and using eco settings where available can help reduce waste."According to the Energy Saving Trust, dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers account for around 14% of a typical household energy bill, making efficient use worthwhile.Not fixing dripping tapsA dripping tap can waste thousands of litres of water every year, particularly if hot water is involved.‌The problem is often down to a worn cartridge or washer, a minor component that can cost as little as £5.Nancy added: "If left, a trickling tap can waste around 5,500 litres of water annually, equivalent to roughly three months of daily showers on top of your regular use."That could add around £14-£16 per year to household bills from just one leaking tap.Article continues belowBoiling too much waterOverfilling the kettle is one of the most common energy-wasting habits in UK kitchens. If you overfill the appliance by just half a litre a day, that's around 365 litres of unnecessarily heated water each year, according to the experts.Not switching the lights offLeaving lights on in rooms that aren't being used can waste electricity, particularly if they're left on for long periods.