UK Households Advised on Reducing "Vampire Device" Energy Consumption
Experts are advising UK households to switch off "vampire devices" to save up to £70 on annual energy bills. "Vampire devices" refer to appliances that consume electricity even when not in active use. This advice comes ahead of a new Ofgem price cap that will reduce typical household bills by £122 per year starting July 1, lowering the annual average bill to £1,568 from £1,690.
Key devices to switch off include:
- Set-Top Boxes: Standby mode can add around £23 annually per device.
- TVs: Standby mode can cost about £24 annually per TV.
- Microwaves: Unnecessary usage adds over £16 annually per device.
- Phone Chargers: Unplugging when fully charged can prevent energy wastage.
Grant Store experts suggest that simple actions like switching off lights and using eco modes on appliances can provide additional savings.
Quick Microwave Mug Pizza Recipe Gains Popularity on TikTok
A viral TikTok video by @thefoodguy, Tommy Winkler, showcases a quick and easy recipe for a microwave mug pizza. Requiring only three ingredients—ready-rolled pizza dough, tomato sauce, and cheese—the dish takes just one minute to cook in the microwave.
Instructions:
- Cut out a slice of pizza dough to fit the bottom of a microwave-safe mug.
- Spread some pizza sauce over the dough.
- Sprinkle cheese on top, and add any desired toppings.
- Microwave for one minute until the dough is puffed and the cheese is melted.
This quick snack idea has received over three million views, with many users expressing interest in trying it.