How much you could be spending a year after expert warns against 'phantom load'

Ever since the cost of living crisis was announced back in 2021, homeowners have been desperately searching for means of saving money each month.

Tragically, millions of UK citizens have spent the last three years been forced to batch cook meals so as to avoid using the costly oven, and others have had to leave the heating switched off night after night to prevent their energy bills from soaring.

And this week, finance experts are once again imploring homeowners not to neglect one particular cost, which they may not even be aware they're spending.

So, if the phrase 'phantom load' means nothing to you, allow us to fill you in...

Hundreds of homeowners are likely victims of the dreaded phantom load cost. (Michael Reeve/Getty)

If you're guilty of your telly on standby mode when you go to bed, as opposed to switching it off at the wall, or leaving your hair straighteners plugged in, even if they're turned off, or going to work with your phone charger left switched on in the wall, sadly, you're inadvertently a victim of the dreaded phantom load.

This week, however, Tyla caught up with Rachel Kerrone - a Personal Finance Expert at Starling Bank - who told us everything we need to know about the secret cost, and warned homeowners exactly how much they could be inadvertently coughing up each year.

"As we slide into summer and the weather is warmer many of us will be expecting our energy bills to decrease as we switch off the heating, take advantage of using less electricity with lighter evenings and take less baths," she exclusively told Tyla.

"For many this won’t be the case - leaving a big question mark as to why. This could be down to the 'phantom load'."

Leaving your TV on standby could cost you a fortune. (upiir/Getty)

Opening up about the most common things we could be guilty of, Rachel went on: "Essentially, this is leaving your appliances and devices turned on and in standby mode and plugged in and on at the wall.

"For example, just because you’re not boiling your kettle all the time doesn't mean that leaving your kettle switched on at the wall isn’t costing you anything. "This applies to a range of regular household appliances and devices - from your

kettle, microwave and air fryer, to your TV, Sky Box and Xbox."

Naturally, there are some unavoidable ways we fall for the phantom load bill.

"While there are the obvious things that need to be left on all the time - like your fridge and freezer, as well as your broadband router," Rachel said. "You shouldn’t ignore that flashing microwave clock or standby light from the TV."

According to research carried out by energy provider Loop, the average UK household could be wasting around £250 on their phantom load annually, with wasted energy contributing to around a third of an average energy bill.

Finance experts are warning homeowners to take note. (Sally Anscombe/Getty)

It isn't just your finances that'll be taking a beating by the phantom load, the planet does too.

"Reducing your phantom load can also have an environmental benefit - by doing this, you’re not just saving your pennies, you’re also saving energy and reducing your carbon and methane emissions," Rachel explained.

"Worried you won’t remember how to reduce your phantom load and take things off standby mode, or to do it at all? Why not try to switch things off when you turn off your lights at night, or to only switch things on and off when you need them? "For example, if you’re after a cuppa, why not turn the kettle on when you need to boil your water, and switch it back off at the wall once you’ve made your brew?"