You’ve been using your TV all wrong and it could be pushing up your energy bills
THE TV uses more energy than you might think, and it could be adding unnecessary money to your electricity bills.
It could be racking up costs even when you've switched it off - we explain how to avoid it.
Many households are looking for ways to slash their gas and electricity bills.
The energy price cap jumped this month, adding almost £700 to the average bill.
The TV is one of the most energy-hungry devices in the house when left on standby.
You'll have to turn it off fully - using the power off button or at the mains - to make sure it's not using energy while you're not using it.
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A TV uses around 40 watts of energy an hour when it's being used, according to energy firm Utilita.
But it still needs 10 watts when it's just sitting in standby.
That means it costs you 5.6p if you're watching your TV for five hours.
It will cost 6.72p a day if it's sitting in standby mode for 24 hours.
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Over a year that racks up to £24.50.
Other electrical appliances use up lots of energy while they're in stand-by mode including games consoles, printers and laptops.
You can also save money by changing the way you use some household items.
For example, a simple tweak to the way you tumble dry clothes could save you £153.30 a year.
You can calculate how much leaving a fan on overnight will add to your energy bills, too.
How can I get help with energy bills?
If you're struggling to cope with energy price rises, there is help available.
Contact your energy supplier as a first step, as many of them have hardship funds or can offer other support.
For example, British Gas has a £6million pot of cash to help struggling customers.
It will write off energy debts of up to £750, with 2,450 grants awarded so far.
The average amount paid out to date is £524 per customer, and a further 1,000 payments are set to be made this month.
You should also check that you're getting all the benefits you're entitled to.
Make sure you're not missing out on any extra cash by using an online benefits calculator.
Doing a could help you find cash to pay for gas and electricity bills.
The government announced a support package for households earlier this year.
In total, 80% of families are entitled to a £150 council tax rebate that will be paid from this month - although some people have reported delays.
Everyone will get a £200 energy bill refund in October but this is a loan and will have to be repaid in instalments.
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The Household Support Fund, which helps families with the rising cost of living, has been extended.
To find out what support is available in your area, contact your
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