We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Here's how to cut down your electricity bills – and bring big savings.

Households are full of plugged-in appliances, but do you know which ones are sending your electricity bills through the roof?

'Most people don't realise how much power their devices are using even when they're not turned on,' says Ben Gallizzi, Money.co.uk's energy expert. 'Items such as televisions, computers and smart speakers all use a surprising amount of electricity even when they aren't being actively used.

'Many of us have had to work from home over the past year and that's also had an impact with many workers leaving laptops and phone chargers plugged in.'

According to Money.co.uk, common gadgets are costing households up to £500 a year. If you're looking to slash your energy usage and lower those bills, take a look at the biggest guzzlers below...

It pays to know which appliances in your home are causing your energy bills to skyrocket. While many of us turn our TV's off when we're not watching them, the only way to be sure you're not using power is to switch it off at the wall. As a general rule of thumb, the best policy is to unplug.

Adjusting your day-to-day behaviours can help save money — and lower your electricity bill. According to Money.co.uk, laptops can use around 15p a day worth of electricity which adds up to more than £50 a year – about the same as an average sized TV. Once you've finished work for the day, make sure you switch your computer or laptop off at the wall.

As one of the most-used appliances, unplugging your microwave can save around £6 a year in electricity. It's easy to forget, but being efficient will save you a pretty penny.

'Millions of us leave our chargers plugged into the wall all the time but every charger will be consuming electricity at all times, whether the phone or tablet is attached or not,' says Ben.

'Charging a phone at night can also waste power as the charger uses the same amount even if the phone becomes fully charged. With many families having multiple chargers around the house, switching them off at the wall can save around £30 a year.'

Smart speakers have become a must-have for many households, but how much energy do they really consume? Ben says switching them off at the wall could help to save around £35.

Energy bills from game consoles can be eye-watering, with some reaching as high as £200 a year. 'Our trusty consoles have kept millions of us entertained during lockdown but by leaving them on standby when not in use, gamers are burning energy unnecessarily,' adds Ben.

Set-top boxes, also known as cable boxes, are often left on standby. If they’ve got a lit digital display you can be sure they are using some power. Turning it off at the wall will save just a few pennies a month, but every little helps.

According to energy.co.uk, each Internet router uses around £10 a year worth of electricity. Powering it down when you're away on holiday can save some extra money.

From kettles to coffee machines, do you turn off your kitchen appliances when they're not in use? 'Each of these could save around £10 worth of energy each year, and with many modern kitchens now containing numerous gadgets, the savings definitely add up,' explains Ben.

Fridge freezers need to be plugged in at all times but the best way to save energy for larger appliances, including washing machines and tumble dryers, is to choose a machine with the best efficiency rating. 'Savvy users can also make serious savings by being mindful of cheaper energy tariffs which may be available by setting timers for off peak times,' suggests Ben. 'By managing the energy usage of kitchen appliances carefully it should be possible to save up to £130 a year off energy bills.'

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.

Aside from being travel-friendly, shampoo bars are generally less expensive than their liquid counterparts, providing more value as one bar lasts longer than a bottle (one bar can replace up to two x 250ml bottles). Made with cacao butter and honey extract, this wild coconut shampoo bar is worth adding to your bathroom cabinet.

Made out of the loofah plant and natural cotton string, this dishwashing sponge is 100 per cent compostable. As well as being kind to the planet, each sponge is super soft so won't scratch any pots, pans or dishes.

Perfect for a console table, this eco-friendly bubble candle is hand-poured and has been made using 100 per cent soy wax. A statement in any home, it's available in a range of gorgeous hues.

Make washing up more exciting with this cactus and beech wood non-scratch dish brush. Helping to& minimise waste at home, it also has a replaceable head so you can simply swap it out when it gets worn.

Wipe they day away with these reusable face wipes — made from stylish Liberty London prints. Use to cleanse or remove makeup, and then pop in the washing machine once you're done.

We've got our eye on this bamboo cereal bowl, which is ideal for family breakfasts. With a minimal design, it will never go out of style.

Need some advice on how to live a greener life? This hardback book — filled with tips, tricks and advice — is the ultimate bible for living sustainably. From the living room to the kitchen, you'll find all you need to lead a more low-impact lifestyle.  

We're big fans of this reusable lunch box in soft green, which has been crafted from bamboo fibre. As well as having enough space to store snacks, it also has a silicone band to secure contents when travelling.  

Spruce up your kitchen with this bamboo utensil set and matching pot. Simple yet stylish, it's the ultimate way to create en eco-friendly kitchen.

Before you embark on your weekly clean, make sure you pick up these compostable sponges — made from cellulose wood fibres. With many cleaning sponges made of petrochemicals, this eco alternative is great to consider. 

Planning a garden party? Add these compostable wheat drinking straws to the top of your shopping list. Sourced from local farms in South East Asia, the straws will break down naturally after use (and are great popped on a compost heap). 

Tried and tested, these reusable cotton buds are a sustainable alternative to plastic stemmed cotton buds. Each one comes in a lovely pastel case, making it ideal for taking on holiday. 

Provide nutrient-rich food for your garden by collecting scraps and waste in a compost bin. Crafted from powder coated steel, this sustainable kitchen must-have has been finished in an urban charcoal colourway.

There's nothing better than a simple bar of soap, such as this one from Faith in Nature. Made with 100 per cent natural fragrance and essential oils, it's a must for every bathroom.

Looking for some eco-friendly toilet paper? Well, this premium bamboo range from Who Gives A Crap has been made using biodegradable bamboo. Better still, with each box sold, they make a donation to ethical charities that help build toilets for developing countries.