The Kenya Power and Lighting Company has warned that leaving appliances in standby mode can add up to 10 per cent to monthly electricity bills. The company described the issue as phantom or vampire power and urged households to unplug devices fully.
The Kenya Power and Lighting Company issued the warning in a public notice on Sunday. It stated that standby mode can account for up to 10 per cent of electricity consumption and may add between 5 and 15 per cent to household bills. Common devices contributing to the drain include televisions, decoders, smart speakers, freezers, gaming consoles, microwaves, washing machines, electric ovens and chargers. Kenya Power advised that pressing a remote power button is often insufficient. The company recommended switching off wall sockets or using power strips with on-off switches. It also suggested smart plugs and energy-monitoring devices to track and reduce consumption.