Brits warned not to turn off WiFi overnight as prices soar to record highs
BRITS have been warned not to turn off their WiFi routers overnight as energy prices hit record highs.
Electricity prices, on average, have gone up from around 17p per kWh last winter to 34p kWh after prices went up on October 1.
Due to the ongoing cost of living crisis which has seen a rise in the price of gas as well as the cost of many food items, millions of people are looking at ways of saving money.
Ways of keeping your energy bills down could include switching off appliances, filling up a washing machine before switching it on and unplugging TVs rather than leaving them on standby.
People could even save a few pounds by turning down the brightness on their televisions.
Turning off your WiFi when not in use could save you around £20 a year, depending on how much power your device uses and how long it's off for.
Read More on WiFi
Some savvy savers have said they turn off the device overnight to save cash, or when going on holiday.
However, experts have advised people do not switch off your internet router when it's not in use.
While switching off your WiFi overnight might save you some cash, it can cause problems with your broadband speeds and even make your internet connection easier to hack.
Most of the country’s biggest Internet Service Providers (ISPs), which include BT and Sky, recommend leaving their WiFi equipment on permanently, all year round.
Most read in Money
By regularly switching on and off your router this can send signals to your provider there is a fault on the line.
When that happens, ISPs often place an emergency speed restriction on the service in order to keep the customer connected.
BT says: "Constantly switching off the hub makes the line look unstable, meaning that your speed may be automatically reduced to improve the reliability of your broadband connection.”
On top of speeds getting slower, vital security updates might not be received during the night of the power is switched off.
Aman Bhatti, director of propositions at Sky Broadband, told : “We know our routers are put through their paces during the day – whether on video calls, streaming the latest show, or online gaming.
"That’s why our routers run firmware updates during the night, to avoid any unnecessary disruption during the day.
"Switching off your router overnight can affect automatic software updates and optimisations which in turn can impact the overall performance, speed and stability of your Broadband.
"Other connected devices in the home that are connected to your router will also be disrupted by the delayed updates.
"All our current hubs are EU Eco Design Regulation approved, meaning no excessive energy consumption is being used."
How to save money on bills
Switching off "vampire" appliances that are using energy unnecessarily - like computers, outdoor lights, and electric towel rails - could save you up to hundreds of pounds a year.
It might be worth setting your appliances so you can time when they switch on and off.
That means you're not using energy unnecessarily if you forget to turn them off.
For example, you might want set your heating to a timer, or turn it off completely now warmer weather is around the corner.
A simple £8 gadget could help you spot appliances that guzzle the most energy.
We spoke to retired gran-of-three Melinda Gaunt had no idea that an energy guzzling appliance hidden away in her basement was driving her energy bill up by £550.
Making simple draught-proofing tweaks could save you up to £25 a year.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
Applying clingfilm to your window sill and stuffing old towels up against gaps in doors could help you keep in warm air - and use your heating less.
And here's 30 more ways you can cut energy bills now.
