British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON, Octopus customers must 'unscrew lightbulbs' next week or face £84 charge

British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON and Octopus bills will rise by £149 to £1771 on average on October 1.

A string of appliances British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON and Octopus customers need to switch off next week - before the new energy price cap kicks in - have been revealed. British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON and Octopus bills will rise by £149 to £1771 on average on October 1.

Essential Green Skills part of the ESS Group, a leading energy consultancy, is stepping up to offer practical advice on how to combat these hidden energy drains. "Many households are unaware of how much energy is wasted by simply leaving devices on standby," says Ryan Cancellara, Energy Expert at Essential Green Skills.

"This energy inefficiency is costing consumers hundreds of pounds a year, money that could easily be saved with a few simple changes." Ryan Cancellara explains: "One of the most common culprits is the humble TV – left on standby, it can still consume as much as 10-15% of its full power. Other devices, such as microwaves, gaming consoles, and printers, are often left plugged in and quietly burning electricity. Even chargers and small kitchen appliances like toasters can contribute to energy waste."

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LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer. Replacing your lights with LEDs can help lower your energy usage instantly. A Light bulb will use around 0.01kwh, which costs around 0.34p per hour, or £2.72 per eight hours. Across a 31-day month in winter, it could mean an £84 charge.

The firm urges people to unplug devices when not in use - including chargers, gaming consoles, and even kitchen appliances. Smart plugs allow you to remotely control and schedule the power usage of your appliances. Timers can also help automatically turn off devices when they’re not needed.

Customers should also consider replacing old appliances with newer, energy-efficient models. Look for appliances with a good energy rating, which can save you money in the long run. Lowering your thermostat by just 1°C can reduce heating bills by up to 10 per cent, too.

Smart thermostats allow for precise control of home heating, ensuring you’re not wasting energy when you're away.